Monsterlune moments at Emerald 20
To St Pancras Hospital Conference Centre Gallery for the opening of Emerald 20, an exhibition and performance night celebrating 20 years of The Arts Project. I was last here 7 of those years ago, for Loudest Whispers 2016. Then as now, I was a part of an extraordinary ensemble catwalking the colours of Estelle Monsterlune Riviere.
Unlike 7 years ago there was to be no gathering beforehand for fittings. This evening we would simply try and fly. Esther and I would be two of seven Monsterlune models, sharing our catwalk with anyone from the audience who also fancied a strut. First we joined in the party, then we retreated to a tiny basement and got into character.
My outfit comprised a heavily-sloganed long-sleeve white top, bright yellow stockings and black gloves. I wore my own black shoes and a white whole-head mask adorned with soft silver spikes, silver lips, orange eye shadow, a pink mohawk and an array of quills in two lines. Real quills. Points down. On my scalp…
Quill head © Richard Kaby.
So much fun! Before our catwalk we sashayed out into the grounds for some random posing with party-goers. Then we returned to the building and – BAM!! – I banged my quills on a ceiling beam, knocking one literally into my head. Dazed, I dabbed fingers to my forehead, feeling a penny-sized seeping of blood. Still, the show must go on…
Catwalk
It’s weird. I really was quite dazed, as if someone had put a blunt pencil to the front of my hairline and struck it medium-force with a hammer. But the mask stayed on. I was doing this, come what may. Behind catwalk screens I was fifth in line to go on. Esther was fourth, Estelle seventh and last, with the audience interweaving. On we go!
Monsterlune: Delphine Oger © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Frank Cutter © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Cecile Dubuis © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Esther Bunting © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Steve Ritter © Richard Kaby.
Jeremy Lawrence © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Sallyanne Wood © Richard Kaby.
Monsterlune: Estelle Riviere © Richard Kaby.
© Richard Kaby.
At large
Of course, any sub-optimal feelings disappeared the second I stepped out to perform for a whooping cheering crowd. Happiness is a splendid tonic, however fleeting. After the anarchic formalities, we became entropy in earnest. Esther and I stole a hug then gravitated to the gallery garden for freestyle fabulousness.
Outside there was no line-up, no orchestration, no choreography, no format, not even any purpose… we just went mad, individually or collectively, making most magnificent manifestations for anyone gracious enough to point a camera our way. This was truly leashless licence to ‘lune.
Happy 20th anniversary to The Arts Project! Congratulations to artists and organisers on this joyful occasion. Especially thank you to the omni-talented Estelle Riviere both for sharing your creative genius and inviting us to be a part of it. And thank you too to Richard Kaby – artist, creator, colourmeister and kind spirit – for the great photos.
Estelle Riviere © Estelle Riviere.
Richard Kaby © Richard Kaby.
steve ritter 