[CPProt.net] The Heist Project-Jersey City

[Charles V. Sabba]

111 First St., makes its way into play! 'The Heist Project' opening in Jersey City
The Hudson Reporter
by: Diana Schwaeble Current Editor

The Heist project is a new multi-media play opening at Victory Hall Cultural Center, 186 Grand St., Jersey City, on Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. It is the convergence of two true stories: the largest unsolved art theft in American history, and the recent displacement of artists from the 111 First St. building in Jersey City. The innovative play is an interpretation of those stories of loss by visual and spoken word artists and musicians.

The Idea

According to Christine Goodman, the director of Art House Productions, she got the idea in 1999 when she traveled to Boston for surgery. Between trips to the hospital, she and her mother went to the isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to look at some art.

"I was suprised by the intimacy of the space," said Goodman. "Walking through the museum, I felt as if I was peering into a hidden drawer that held all of Ms. Gardner's most private belongings."

When Goodman reached the second floor, she was struck by the array of huge, empty frames hanging on the wall. Goodman found out that 15 years ago, two men came into the museum after hours and stole over $500 million in paintings including work by Rembrandt, Degas, and Vermeer. Due to a stipulation made in Gardner's will, nothing could be moved or changed in the gallery after her death. Once the 13 pieces were stolen, there was no way to cover up the loss by hanging new art on the walls.

Development

According to Goodman, Art House realized that the idea of loss resonated in Jersy City with the displaced artists. After discussions with other writers and artists, The Heist Project began to take on a life of its own as they built on interpretations of stolen work.

"The pieces of art in The Heist Project are not reproductions," said Goodman. "They are living, breathing, reinventions of the original artworks stolen from The Gardner Museum."

The more they developed the project, the more they realized that they couldn't perform a traditional play with a stage and the audience sitting in front of the actors.

The Play

The cast has 14 people who were directed by Jack halpin. The play, which runs 90 minutes, combines theatre, spoken word, visual art, music, and video all weaved together. The talent includes: Photographer Ed Fausty; sculptor Steve Singer; creator and artistic director Christine Goodman; composer David Amram; and many more. Amram wrote the music for the piece and has collaborated with legendary artists: Dizzy Gilespie, Thelonious Monk, Jack Kerouac, Arthur Miller, and many more. The musical score blends the stories together into one seamless work of imagination. 

"We have gotten so much love and encouragement from the local arts community," said Goodman.  "The play is about honoring our collective history. I feel it's important to remember and celebrate what 111 First St. was, so it can inform the future of art in Jersey City."

And...

The show dates are: Nov 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $10 for students and artists. For more information please call: (201) 915-9911 or visit : www.arthouseproductions.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://duvel.te.verweg.com/pipermail/cpprot/attachments/20051104/06ea8a0d/attachment.htm