Slanguage Presents
Dislexicon: A Word Performance
An Engagement Party Event at MOCA
THURSDAY, OCT 1, 7–10pm
250 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
For the second intervention of their three-month residency as part of MOCA’s Engagement Party program, Slanguage will present Dislexicon: A Word Performance at MOCA Grand Avenue on Thursday, October 1, 2009, from 7 to 10pm. The term “Dislexicon” combines “dyslexia,” a learning disorder marked by an impaired capacity to interpret spatial relationships, often resulting in severe reading disabilities, with “lexicon,” an inventory of meaningful units in a language. True to its name, Slanguage, a portmanteau itself, will explore the idea of a visual lexicon and its poetics in relationship to text, spoken-word performances, music, and video, turning away from written word in favor of spoken (s)language. Through humor, poetry, text, video, and music, Dislexicon: A Word Performance will examine the many facets of growing up in Los Angeles, metaphorically traversing the urban landscape to mine both its comedic and tragic elements. The performance will feature poetic works by Slanguage members Karla Diaz and Raul “Spew” Vasquez. Cash bar. This event is FREE and open to the public. No reservations are required.
Slanguage
Founded in 2002 by Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra, Jr., Slanguage is an art collective headquartered in Wilmington, California, a harbor area of Los Angeles County. Currently, there are 10 core members who meet regularly at the studio to make artwork, coordinate exhibitions and events, and lead art-education workshops, but the collective also includes approximately 12 affiliate members who have collaborated on specific projects and exhibitions. A diverse group at various points in their careers, Slanguage includes teenage budding artists, street artists, and established mid- to late career artists, the majority of whom live and work in the greater Los Angeles area, especially Wilmington. Slanguage’s recent projects include Sweeney Tate (2007) for the Tate Modern, London; The Peacock Doesn’t See Its Own Ass/Let’s Twitch Again: Operation Bird Watching in London (2006) for the Serpentine Gallery, London; and The Belmont Ruins (2006) for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In 2009, the collective hosted workshops at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, as part of the Slanguage Teen Art Council.
Engagement Party
Launched in October 2008, MOCA’s Engagement Party presents new artworks in the form of dynamic social events and performances by emerging L.A.–based artist collectives. Collectives may employ any medium, discipline, or strategy during their three-month residency, resulting in programs that may include performances, workshops, screenings, lectures, or any other activity emerging from the group’s particular focus. By providing a platform for artist collectives who operate through multidisciplinary, non-object-based practices, MOCA intends to address the significant role of these practices in the contemporary cultural landscape and challenge the conventions of a collecting institution. Engagement Party is made possible by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.
Parking for MOCA Grand Avenue
Parking is recommended at the Walt Disney Concert Hall garage; $9 flat rate after 4pm (rate subject to change). Public lots are located on Kosciuszko Way between Hope and Lower Grand Avenue and on Olive Street between 1st Street and 2nd Street.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lyn Winter
Tel 213/633-5390
lwinter@moca.org
Jessica Youn
Tel 213/633-5322
jyoun@moca.org
