on the right track — why be timid

the 10th annual avant garde festival (on a train of penn central cars)

On December 9, 1973, cellist and performance artist Charlotte Moorman held the 10th Annual Avant Garde Festival of New York at Grand Central Station. She established the festival in 1963 as an open forum for the burgeoning experimental music and performance scene that was emerging out of Fluxus. The festival ran for 15 years at equally avant garde venues such as Whitehall Terminal/Staten Island Ferry, Ward Island, Grand Central Terminal, Shea Stadium and more. All images here were shot that eve by Allen Tannenbaum and are from the book New York in the 70s.

Charlotte Moorman performs with nam june Paik's 'TV cello'

see this amazing instrument in action

This performance is from their 1976 Kaldor Public Art Project, in which they presented an exhibition of Paik's objects and more than 40 performances in Sydney and Adelaide.

The poster from the event. Such great design in how it so captures the essence. Not afraid at all!

freedom to move without baggageDancers leverage an empty baggage car. The knee pads and denim are brilliant. — freedom to move without baggage
Dancers leverage an empty baggage car. The knee pads and denim are brilliant.

john cage performs  in a baggage car — john cage performs in a baggage car

more dancersLove the Lee Unionall uniforms. Lee, if you're listening, please bring them back! If what you're reaching for is both exhilarating and terrifying, then you're on the right track. — more dancers
Love the Lee Unionall uniforms. Lee, if you're listening, please bring them back! If what you're reaching for is both exhilarating and terrifying, then you're on the right track.

hello + welcome.

Be adventurous, be afraid, be amusing, be authentic, be angry, be annoying, be anxious, be bold, be brave, be bright, be compassionate, be confident, be content, be courageous, be creative, be dynamic, be emotional, be enthusiastic, be exuberant, be fearless, be forward, be friendly, be game, be generous, be gentle, be grateful, be gritty, be gutsy, be helpful, be honest, be humble, be humorous, be imaginative, be inquisitive, be intuitive, be inventive, be jubilant, be kind, be lionhearted, be loud, be loving, be mindful, be needed, be open, be original, be passionate, be patient, be persevering, be positive, be proud, be present, be real, be receptive, be sensitive, be shy, be sincere, be spirited, be spontaneous, be still, be thoughtful, be tolerant, be truthful, be uncertain, be understanding, be unique, be vocal, be vulnerable, be willing, be yourself. Fight the urge to merge. WHY BE TIMID!?

look forward by looking backwards.

Come celebrate indomitable spirit. When realness is undervalued and having your own point of view is a risk, so much of what we see, hear and do ends up being someone else's response. By having a greater understanding of where we’ve been and by experiencing others who haven’t hid their light, we become freer to move about our own cabin. Blending is blah. Connect with something greater.

the 10th annual avant garde festival (on a train of penn central cars)

Charlotte Moorman performs with nam june Paik's 'TV cello'

see this amazing instrument in action

freedom to move without baggage

john cage performs in a baggage car

more dancers