BERNIE, THE MAGIC LADY: APF LAB
Press Release
For the first phase of McNamara’s APF LAB project, a video monitor and posters are positioned at the front of the space to remind visitors that there is more to come. A few days later, guests may return to attend one of three scheduled performances of Bernie, The Magic Lady’s Live Magic Show – A fabulous and transformative impersonation. Those who miss this limited engagement will be welcome to view the third phase of McNamara’s APF LAB series with a backstage style video installation featuring a unique view of Bernie, The Magic Lady.
Bernie Brandall is one of a group of specialized performers whom Ryan McNamara befriended while doing community service work with lesbian gay bisexual and transgender elders. With more than 50 years of onstage experience, Bernie often generously performs for disenfranchised communities around New York with his colored birds and beaded gowns. Although not known in museums or galleries, not featured in Frieze or Fortune, McNamara shows that Bernie exudes the passion of a true artist. McNamara is devoted to a rigorous exploration of the intersections between performance and other media, and this attention is evinced in the carefully configured space for each phase of the project.
Organized by Cay Sophie Rabinowitz. Special thanks to SOHO MEWS for generously donating this space to Art Production Fund.
This project would not be possible without the support of:
Andy Guzzonatto, Bevin McNamara, SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), Samuel Roeck, The Leopold Schepp Foundation, Christopher Schulz, Josh Thorson and David Velasco.
