During the month of June, Philadelphia-based performance artist Alexandra Tatarsky will be Glen Foerd’s “gnome in residence,” presenting two free public experimental performances titled “Gnome Core” 1-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The garden gnome evolved from the professional hermit or garden hermit who was contracted to sit in front of the property of the wealthy and look wise and mournful, and sometimes to entertain or tidy up. The concept of this professional hermit faded away at the end of the 18th century and morphed onto the ubiquitous statue of the garden gnome.
Tatarsky’s research into the origins of the garden gnome will culminate in the weekend of performances somewhere in between eco-lecture, dance, foraged dinner-theater, as well as song, and will take place on the grounds of Glen Foerd, Philadelphia's public park and nonprofit cultural site along the Delaware River.
Glen Foerd’s Artists in Residence program was established in 2014, and now works in partnership with Past Present Projects. The program is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and this past year selected a group of Philadelphia artists in three categories: visual arts, performing arts and teaching arts.
Artists in Residence receive a stipend of $3,000 to create works that engage Glen Foerd’s audience and collections that include architecture, material culture, art and natural landscapes.
Called “a hilarious, finely tuned absurdist” (Theatre Jones), Tatarsky makes work in the uncomfortable in-between zone of comedy, dance-theater, performance art and deluded rant – sometimes with songs.
The event, held rain or shine, is free to public and suitable for ages 18-plus.
Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave.
To register, visit https://www.glenfoerd.org/events.
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