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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Big Top Revolution @ Birchwood Cafe
Wednesday 28 May @ 11:52:31 |
 by Valerie Valentine
Strangeness relaxes us. When we see something really weird, we can rest assured we’re not that abnormal. Circuses are a case in point. Donna Miller’s recent work at Birchwood Cafe flip-flops reality in such a way. Her portraits of big top personalities echo societal roles, and encourage the audience to consider their reality as spectacle too.
The revolutionary part of Miller’s art is a simple critique of society’s standards. Are we individuals, or are we playing ascribed roles? “Commando Clowns” is a bevy of soldiers with goofy grins clowning around. The works challenge what we are doing with what we think we are doing, and how others perceive it.
Though much work is directed towards the audience of the spectacle, the artist addresses her subject as well. Portraits reflect individual personalities. “Lou at the Clown Lounge” is a snake charmer who twists her reptile skillfully. Yet Miller captures her in a distracted moment. Facial expression shows distant eyes, thoughts seemingly far away...while her body performs a dangerous but apparently perfunctory act.
A different portrait of Lou on black velvet shows the woman in a private moment. Whites and reds make her face more of a shadow than a figure. In this pose, Lou becomes an ambiguous character; she could be someone’s waiting lover, or even a wanted criminal. Most likely, though, she is another lost soul like the rest who go off to join the circus.
Miller threads in some perceptions of runaways in the show. “Letter to Mom and Dad,” a portrait of kids who leave a goodbye to their parents as they go to join the carnival. One gets the feeling that folks are usually wanting to be somewhere they’re not. Contrasted with “Missing Clown,” Miller inverts the time-worn tale. The painting is based on fact-sheet missing-person fliers, with the clown’s headshot and description. The format makes the work familiar, but the subject makes it absurd. Social outsiders (as clowns may be) are not the kind of people the world wants to find.
But what if we are one of those folks on the fringe? Perhaps you can relate to “Irena,” the world’s smallest woman. In this show, she ironically becomes the largest portrait of all. If you’re a freak who knows how pointing fingers feel, then you’d feel camaraderie with these paintings. With its art, organics and curious friendliness, the Birchwood could be the place to find your kind and start a revolution.
Big Top Revolution: Recent works by Donna Miller continues through June 15. Birchwood Cafe, 3311 E. 25th St., Mpls.. 612-722-4474.
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