SEASON 18 | MARCH 2006

Exposed: Experiments in Love, Sex, Death, Art

Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth Stephens in the U.S. Premiere

Directed by Neon Weiss
Presented by the VORTEX
 

When Annie Sprinkle (former porn star and performance artist) and Elizabeth Stephens (professor and experimental artist) fell madly and passionately in love, they decided to make a commitment to explore, generate, and spread their love through art. They named their project the Love Art Laboratory. Exposed: Experiments in Love, Sex, Death, Art is part of their seven-year long project. Each year is based on the theme and color of a different chakra and begins with an experimental wedding. The seven-year chakra structure is incorporated into the piece by invitation of artist Linda Montano and inspired by her piece, Seven Years of Living Art.

Beth and Annie began the seven years on December 18, 2004 with a wedding in New York City, where they vowed to become one another's official art muses and collaborators, as well as domestic partners.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Directed by Neon Weiss.Technical Design by Sheila Malone. Production Consultant, Bonnie Cullum.

AWARDS

B. Iden Payne Nomination for Best Touring Show
Austin Critics’ Table 2005 Award

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW

Exposed: Experiments in Love, Sex, Death, Art presents an artistic response to the proposed anti-gay marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as to the recent passage of similar discriminatory legislation in Texas. Exposed is a love story that encompasses the couple's adventures with artificial insemination and breast cancer. Annie and Beth invite you to come to The VORTEX and become a part of a genuine celebration of the deepest realms of romantic, sexual, and familial love, in order to bring about positive social change and acceptance.

ABOUT ANNIE SPRINKLE

Annie M. Sprinkle lives in San Francisco with Elizabeth Stephens. In her former life she was a porn actress, pin-up model, and proud prostitute for twenty years. She then became a performance artist and toured her one woman-shows around the world, including to The VORTEX. Annie is the first porn star to earn a Ph.D. Her new book, Dr. Sprinkle's Spectacular Sex: Make Over Your Love Life was recently published by Penguin Books.

ABOUT ELIZABETH STEPHENS

Elizabeth M. Stephens is an artist and professor living and working in San Francisco. An Associate Professor of Art and Digital Art/New Media at the University of California Santa Cruz, Stephens is an intermedia artist who works in sculpture, video installation, photography, web-based media, and performance art. Her most recent works include the bronze sculptural installation, The Academic/Porn Star Panty Collection; the road trip performance piece, Wish You Were Here; the video installation, Kiss; and her ongoing collaboration with Annie Sprinkle in the Love Art Laboratory. She has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States, Europe, and Russia.