The Clichettes: Trending in the 2020s – In conversation with Maya Ben David and Syreeta Hector
July 17, 2024
The Clichettes: Trending in the 2020s
In conversation with Maya Ben David and Syreeta Hector
Friday, September 20th, 12 – 2 PM
*McMaster Concert Hall, inside L.R. Wilson Hall
*For detailed location information please see the location details section at the end of this webpage.
McMaster Museum of Art presents a film screening and panel talk on Friday, September 20th from 12 – 2 PM, featuring two contemporary video responses to the work of renowned Canadian artist trio The Clichettes (Louise Garfield, Janice Hladki, and Johanna Householder). Bridging theatre, lip-sync, dance, drag, costume, and comedy, The Clichettes developed a groundbreaking practice at the crossroads of performance art and feminist satire. This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition The Clichettes: Lips, Wigs, and Politics, on view now until November 22, 2024 at McMaster Museum of Art.
Following the screenings, exhibition curator Ivana Dizdar will moderate a discussion with a member of The Clichettes, Johanna Householder, and the presenting video artists Syreeta Hector and Maya Ben David. A Q&A will invite questions from the audience.
For those unable to attend in person, note that this event will be live streamed on the McMaster Museum of Art YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/@McMasterMuseum
Motherhood, Dollhood in the Neighbourhood
Created by Syreeta Hector
Motherhood, Dollhood in the Neighbourhood is inspired by The Clichettes’ comedic voice and playful physicality. This film expresses the joys and challenges of motherhood, home and work life balance, and the embracing of family members/items.
Performed by Syreeta Hector, Billie Skylark Brown, Doll Doll
Filming and Editing by J. Adam Brown
Music by Marie Davidson “Work It”
Syreeta Hector is a dance artist and educator in Toronto, Ontario. As a highly accomplished performer, Syreeta has worked for internationally recognized companies like Adelheid Dance Projects, Danny Grossman Dance Company, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, Political Movement, and Toronto Dance Theatre. She is a proud graduate of The National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and has achieved her Master of Arts in Dance Studies from York University.
The Fiberglass Clown
Filmed, edited, directed and acted by Maya Ben David
Who guards and champions your half-finished projects abandoned to the art pound? Who collects and archives your boils and biopsies with studious excitement? The Fiberglass Clown does. You might not like her, but she is a necessary resource.
Maya Ben David (MBD) is a Toronto-based Jewish-Iranian Anthropomorphic Airplane. Working in video, installation and performance, she creates worlds and characters that aid her ongoing exploration of anthropomorphism, cosplay and performative personas. Ben David presents the origin stories of her characters in the form of video and performance, and expands on them via her online presence. They often inhabit alternate universes accompanied by nostalgia, such as the worlds of Pokémon and Spiderman. In addition, Ben David also plays a character called MBD who is known for having multiple feuds with her many alter egos as well as the art world.
Location details
The McMaster Concert Hall is located on the first floor of L.R. Wilson Hall. When entering campus from the Sterling Street entrance, L.R. Wilson Hall is directly to your left at this intersection. For parking, enter campus through the Sterling Street entrance and turn right at the first opportunity. Keeping in the left lane, follow this road into Parking Lot B. Proceed on foot along the pathway back towards L.R. Wilson Hall. The Concert Hall is located by the south entrance (sliding doors) of the Waller Lobby, L.R.Wilson Hall.
Download the McMaster campus map.
For any questions or accessibility inquiries please contact: museum@mcmaster.ca
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