Now See This

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Published: Feb 15, 2008

For three days a week in 1972, artist Vito Acconci hid himself beneath a ramp in New York's Sonnabend Gallery and masturbated for eight hours straight, while voicing his fantasies through a loudspeaker. This was no act of ordinary perversion, but a fully sanctioned performance that explored what the artist called "power fields": physical spaces defined by power dynamics. A new exhibition at the Slought Foundation, "Power Fields: Explorations in the Work of Vito Acconci," combines the artist's writing, street works, performances, photography, videos and architectural projects, tracing themes of power and the body throughout his work.

—Mary Wilson

Feb. 15-March 31, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., 215-701-4627, slought.org.

Kariamu & Company combines traditional African dance, contemporary movement and spoken word to create an invigorating performance aimed at creating transcendent spirit. Taking on topics such as slavery, urban youth pastimes, and MOVE member Ramona Africa, all pieces on the program relate to the black experience in America. It's surely socio-political, but presented in an aesthetic manner that is intentionally open to interpretation. As company director Kariamu Welsh notes, "People have to think for themselves."

—Deni Kasrel

Thu.-Sat., Feb. 14-16, 8 p.m., $13-$15, Conwell Dance Theater, Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue, 800-298-4200, liacouriscenter.com.

While this musical's themes are timeless — three couples get pregnant, two unexpectedly, and we all know the climax of those nine-month stories — Villanova Theatre's revival keeps the 25-year-old confection by David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr. in the glorious '80s. Peter Reynolds, who recently directed Mauckingbird's delightful production of The Misanthrope, promises neon colors, leg warmers and popped collars to match its peppy tunes about impending parenthood.

—Mark Cofta

Through March 2, Villanova Theatre, Vasey Hall, Lancaster and Ithan avenues, Villanova, 610-519-7474, theatre.villanova.edu.

 

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