Mark Russell er en anerkjent kurator og kunstnerisk leder innen eksperimentell scenekunst. Han var leder for Performance Space 122 (1983–2004) og grunnla Under the Radar Festival i 2005, en ledende arena for nyskapende teater. Russell er en bauta og forkjemper for eksperimentell scenekunst i New York. Nå kommer han til Oslo og Replikk for å fortelle om sin reise i kampen for kunsten, spesielt sett i lys av den siste tidens utvikling i USA.
Russell kommer til Replikk for å holde årets hovedinnlegg. Han skal snakke om det store spørsmålet: Viktigheten av kunst i samfunnet, og kunstens rolle i demokratiet.
Russell has been working in the downtown dance/performance and theater world for over 35 years. From 1983-2004 he was the Executive Artistic Director of Performance Space 122. He brought the space from a low-tech artist rental space to a world-renowned presenting institution committed to developing the work of New York City artists. In January 2005 Russell launched the Under the Radar Festival at St. Ann’s Warehouse. UTR focuses on theater-based contemporary performance. The festival moved to the Public Theater in 2006 and became a centerpiece in the New York City theater season; mixing international performances with national and local artists. Russell has been involved with many artists over his career, creating opportunities for them to grow and reach wider audiences. He is now involved in re-imagining The Under the Radar Festival for a new generation.
Foto: Vincent Tullo