BAD REP

The painter Daria Deshuk’s hosting of an evening she conceived of using Pamela Enz’s as yet undefined art to take place in her NYC loft was the seed from which BAD REP the Salon Series at Gallery One was born.

Over twenty years ago, Arthur Danziger, the gallery’s curator, one of a handful of guests that seminal night, offered the two artists his space for a series of interdisciplinary events. Their premiere event, “Heart on Fire Trilogy” melded Pamela’s text with Daria’s paintings.

Similarly, like Ève Laroche-Joubert’s kinetic sculpture functioned in the set she designed and conceived of for “Body Parts...a series of...” presented by Dixon Place in Dec. 2015, Daria’s paintings did so in our first event, non traditionally, as both characters and evocative backdrop. Additionally, Ms. Deshuk’s hand-painted hospital robe created for the Salon Series’ seminal “Heart..” was cut apart and reincarnated to be used in the much expanded Dixon Place 2017 iteration of the original work.

From its fortuitous beginning, BAD REP’s goal was to discover ways that artists could cross-pollinate in surprising collaborations. Most importantly, its mission was to pair unexpected combinations of mediums and artists at differing stages in their careers by reaching out to the community to find undiscovered nascent talent to support: “Screaming for God” paired an opera singer with a novelist weaving song into text and was accompanied by a pianist.

We are quite proud of “Words Without Borders” an afternoon when novelist Marianne Wiggins and playwright Keith Reddin performed onstage with Kimberly Robinson, a pregnant teen poet discovered in a Jimmy Breslin column written about Ms. Robinson when the father of her unborn baby was shot and killed.

Reading Kimberly's work in Mr. Breslin's column, Pamela, impressed with Ms. Robinson’s poetry, invited her to participate in this event in which the three writers improvised jazz like on the spot, fostering audience involvement as they interacted with one another.

It gave us all great joy to present these adventurous artists with checks provided by POETS&WRITERS especially Ms. Robinson because she needed it on a practical level, but even more so, because it was an affirmation of this young artist's talent and encouragement to continue despite her difficult situation.

Our fluid group resurfaces when an opportunity to create, experiment, and most importantly, play theatrically with Hybrid collaboration arises. Using a mash-up of mediums, poetry, spoken work, visual art, music and the as yet undefinable we aspire to continue doing so for many years to come

The GodMother of BAD REP

This is Daria performing in Ammo’s Universal Action night, which was basically improvised - put together your own performance or living art. A performance & photo of Daria as living art. Her lovely rare spirit shines in her own words:

DARIA DESHUK

It was the early 80’s and the anticipation of a new age was in the air. I think we were calling it the new wave. It was amazing to us that we would be alive in the year 2000. I painted a pair of cowboy boots silver and had an asymmetrical haircut, it was a mix of the thrift shop, punk, and fifties-style cocktail dresses, and mod mini skirts, we stood out.

I was living at 99 Saint Marks Place, after graduating BFA in Painting and a certificate in Art Education, from Parson School of Design. I was working a few part-time jobs, an Art Teacher, 2 waitress jobs, a part-time graphic design assistant, Art freelance jobs when available, and as a coat check girl at club 57 in the evenings, and had a fabulous Art studio in an old public school PS 122 turned into artist studios.

As a coat check girl, I saw the events safely from behind the coat check half-door and some nights collected enough change and dollars to call it a great night earning 50$. I participated in events at Club 57 Mostly organized by Ann as the leader and other artists. I was a playboy bunny, and performed routines, friend of a friend from the West Village taught us all how to do Fan Dancing and we performed it at the Mudd Club. I remember standing behind a piece of paper in a corset and bra as a work of art. I modeled fashion for many of the new wave designers of our group Stacy and Shawn. Club 57 was a living room for Artists, we were entertainment tonight, not watching it on TV or the computer.

I began a relationship with the artist Larry Rivers (32 years my senior) in 1981, and moved to East 14th & 1st Ave. I started to use a camera and projection and began making large paintings depicting the streets of the lower east side. Larry had a large loft and we had a party where John Sex a performer from Club 57 did his famous strip dancing on our piano swinging from the loft pipes.

I was moving out of the local East Village group into a life of privilege and romance. My survival financially and needs as a woman and artist were indulged, as I became the mother of Sam Deshuk Rivers in 1985, and started working in my East 14th St. art studio loft on the third floor. I was living a comfortable domestic life with a true bohemian from the bee-bop generation and successful artist when most of the old crowd was climbing to fame or dying from AIDS or drugs. I lived in NYC and the Hampton’s and some winters in Mexico with Larry Rives a major art world figure, a man that was a celebrity guest at every club and high art event at the time. What I really got from him, as an Artist was a healthy work ethic and a passion for making art. We separated when I turned 40, we remained best friends until his death, I loved him.

I presently live and work as an artist full time in Bridgehampton I have recently renovated a large commercial property in BH, Deshuk Rivers Studio, and have a partner David Kushnir whom I live with. I paint every day and continue to build my career as an artist. I have a column in Fine Arts Magazine online. I participate in many fundraising benefits in the Hampton’s. My son Sam Deshuk Rivers is attending Parsons School of Design as an MFA student in photography. I believe I am here to inspire the turning of the age that we all anticipated in those early East Village days and I intend to do that. Through art and the evolution of my own understanding of Big mind and Big Heart.

meet

the

team

pamela enz

Hybrid Theatrical (Cinematic) Collaborative Collagist

Earliest cherished credit: Inclusion in Guinness World Book’ of Records’ certified longest line of tap dancers. Dancing to ‘Give my regards to Broadway’ in NYC where she began creating from a life that besides colorful material provided valued insight into the endless space that is the human heart. Thrillingly, officially, becoming an artist.

She is most proud of her Edward Albee Fellowships, PEN grants, reaching out to the community as BAD REP's Artistic Director, Tennessee Williams One Act Play Award, Franklin Furnace Emerging Performance Award, being chosen for Tom Block 's Institute of Prophetic Activist Art seminars, a collage exhibited @aCall2Arms thenewtownproject, and performing her earliest monologues on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum with Anna Deavere as a member of An Actor Works.

Julie Petrusak

Julie Petrusak is a multimedia choreographer, director, and projectionist. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of JP Dance Group and the Resident Video Projection Designer for BAD REP.

For BAD REP, Ms. Petrusak created and directed an interactive video projection design for ‘City Girls and Desperadoes’, which premiered at Theater for the New City in March 2018.

She was awarded the 2018 BRIC Media Arts Fellowship and was an invited artist at the Oulu Dance Hack in Oulu, Finland.

As a director and writer she is known for Veto (2020), Contretemps, and Martyrs (2020) Most recently she has co-founded Whole Pictures producing video and film projects with partner Jermaine Burrows.

https://www.wholepicturefilms.com

https://jpdancegroup.org/projectionsbyjp/

Christopher Trujillo

Resident Designer & Bon Vivant Extra-Odinaire! Lighting, installation and interior design artist, Christopher Trujillo has been recycling and reusing materials in his work for more than twenty years. He has become best known for his paper chandeliers - beautiful hanging light sculptures stunningly fashioned from recycled paper. His practice also involves transforming spaces for high-profile events, working with personal interior design clients, and developing public art projects. At the core of Christopher ’s work lies a desire to stimulate thinking about the beauty of sustainable design. It is his mission to encourage and support eco-consciousness in his creative process, while demonstrating artistic and functional ways in which re-purposed materials can work cohesively with architecture and interiors. Clients have included Karl Lagerfeld, Anita Durst & chashama, Kelly Mac Real Estate, Arthur & Gabby Salzberger (New York Times), Carrie Mae Weems, Stephen Sills Associates, Presidio, and more. Christopher has also fashioned interiors, displays, and events for a long list of Harlem businesses, most notably The Cove, Harlem Bespoke, Nabe, Red Rooster, Sylvia's, and Taste Harlem Tours. Check out his works here: http://www.ctrujillodesign.com/lighting.html

sulamita javier

Visual Designer

Luis Mojica

Resident Composer an american pianist, performer, and composer who uses the piano and looping pedal to blend his wide vocal range with beat box pop melodies and baroque-style piano. After spending 4 years in the mountains, Luis has emerged with his debut studio album, titled "Wholesome". The album features his friend and bandmate Melora Creager (Rasputina) on cello, as well as internationally acclaimed drummer Brian Viglion (Dresden Dolls) on drums and percussion. In addition to his solo work, Luis is also the pianist and beat boxer for the legendary cello group Rasputina since 2014. He has been on 2 US Tours with the band and continues to collaborate and tour with them. Check out the rehearsal video of his composition created for BAD REP’s Dixon Place event : “Born Such A Pretty Girl..” https://www.facebook.com/luismojicamusic/videos/1687478138135685/

Ahmed Aqadir

Hip Hop Community Liaison A journey through his own conflicted soul has brought the poet AQ to the realization first that he is not alone and he believes through both music and poems he might help others. Check out his video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB3JPL-Yvow

Jacqueline Jonee aka Jack Neiman

Resident Musical Director & Transcendent Pianist

Matthew Aquilone

Special Projects & Visual Consultant His work can be viewed here: aquilonedesign.tumblr.com

Angela Rodriquez

Resident Make-Up Costume & all things Beautiful

BADDEST cohorts for Social Justice

Jeremy Karafin – Founder of Poetic Theater Productions Collaborator and advisor. https://www.poetictheater.com/event/untamed-sisters-singers-seers-at-chashama-art-party/

Clayton Patterson – Infinite inspiration

Ray Paret – Producing Advice and Musical Magic - has been instrumental in many areas of the entertainment business for over forty-five years. Applying his many talents to artist management, Levon Helm, Joe Cocker and many others artists thrived under his direction, while in partnership with Woodstock impresario Michael Lang.

Elliott Randall – has been an influential guitarist and composer for over forty years, from his early days with Steely Dan, Jimi Hendrix and ShaNaNa to working with emerging artists in the UK. Elliott’s musical contributions live from London and/or pre-recorded have greatly elevated BAD REP productions of various sizes and running times.

Julie Petrusak – coordinated with Randall’s score Ms. Petrusak’s evocative projections gave vivid life to TNC’s production of “City’s “City Girls & Desperadoes”.

Trav SD’s Villager article excerpt:
“As the play was being birthed, Randall and Petrusak came together and created the home in which it could live - evocative without words, and viscerally quite powerful... colleague Ève Laroche - Joubert said accurately that Ms. Petrusak who has evolved from choreographing dance was now simply choreographing images through space.”