Tarantism by Joachim Koester
Co-presented with Headlands Center for the Arts, Copenhagen-based artist Joachim Koester presents Tarantism (2007), a film from the Kadist Collection in which performers enact the “dancing cure,” an Italian folk method of curing a tarantula bite. Emerging during the Middle Ages, the phenomenon of convulsive dancing was widespread in Italy until the mid 20th century. Koester’s work uses the reenactment of the ritual to explore the unconscious and unexplored abilities of the body. Experience a rare viewing of the installation and conversation with the artist; preceded by an Italian-inspired dinner in the Mess Hall. See Headlands for more information. During his residency at Kadist Art Foundation in San Francisco, Koester debuts a new film commissioned by YBCA and Kadist featuring Elias Howe’s sewing machine. More details here about the work and his upcoming exhibition at YBCA. *Offsite at Headlands Center for the Arts Dinner at 6:30pm ($25), conversation at 8pm (free)