Damn Fine Pie

Twin Peaks-inspired art and a pie-tasting contest? Like Fishtown needed to get any weirder.

by Emily Currier

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Published: Mar 30, 2010

Jessica Kourkounis PEAKED INTEREST: At least the midgets in front of artist Mike Smash, coordinator of a Twin Peaks-themed art show, don't speak backward.

[ that gum you like is coming back in style ]

"Suburbs are even scarier than the city; everyone keeps their doors closed. Small towns are even worse," says artist and Kensington resident Mike Smash (né Mash). His views may be due in part to one-time Philly resident David Lynch's über-creepy cult TV show Twin Peaks, a dark netherworld that exposes what is ugly and scary in cloistered small towns.

For his Twin Peaks-themed art show "The Black Dog Runs at Night," Piranha Betty's Art Market will be decked out as locales from Lynch's surreal mystery set in Twin Peaks, Wash., where everyone knows everyone and nothing is what it seems. Guests will pass through a red curtain to get to the main space, which will be peppered with vendors selling art pieces inspired by the show and shrines to the dearly departed Laura Palmer, the corpse who fuels the first season. Bring your own camera and lounge in the love seat of The Black Lodge, snapping shots against the checkered tiles.

The serial drama's legacy has endured because of the complicated arcs and surreal mysteries surrounding Laura's death (fan of Lost? Thank Twin Peaks). It all takes place in a town that Smash says is "so fantastic, it could be believable."

"The event is for people who know about Twin Peaks to get together and be geeks about it," says Smash, who coordinated and contributes to the event. More than 20 artists working in different media — from glasswork to tattoos — represent, with items ranging from the obvious (magnets depicting the mugs of stars Kyle MacLachlan and Lara Flynn Boyle) to the fanboyish (owl prints, BOB references). Building on his collection of custom-made dolls, Smash will première post-mortem Laura Palmer figurines made from parts of mainstream toys, arrayed in blue paint and shrink-wrap.

For the opening reception, guests are encouraged to slip into the skins of Twin Peaks' residents. Suit up to be Special Agent Dale Cooper, or get in the cross-dressing spirit as Dennis — er, Denise — Bryson (originally played by David Duchovny). Slicking back his long hair and garbed in flannel, Smash will be slinking around in the guise of coke-dealing trucker Leo Johnson.

Under the Double R Diner's insignia, you'll be able to pick up a cup of damn good coffee (served black, to Agent Cooper's taste) and samples of pie made by local bakers and grandmas alike. The best pie — voted on by attendees — will win the bragging rights of being "Twin Peaks-worthy." And, of course, be put in the pantheon of where pies go when they die.

(emily.currier@citypaper.net)

The Black Dog Runs at Night | Opening reception Fri., April 2, 5 p.m.-mid., free, through April 30, Piranha Betty's Art Market, 2472 Frankford Ave., 856-630-5292, piranhabettys.com

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