Hegemonic Bar

Project description

Hegemonic Bar
members of basekamp & friends
1999, Base Kamp gallery

The exhibition was named after, and based on, neo-Gramscian hegemony theory. Using this as a departure point, the Base Kamp created the Hegemonic Bar, with the consumption of alcohol as representative of class struggle.

Played like a three-dimensional game of life, the Hegemonic Bar was an interactive installation along with instructions, rules, alcohol, & many people.

The structure consisted of three platforms signifying class stratification into lower, middle and upper classes. This was accomplished through a variety of visual and auditory metaphors. The platforms increased in elevation as they decreased in square footage, each color-coded with its appropriate decor, music, drink, and price. The lower bar was designated by country and hard rock music, pretzels and beer; the middle bar featured soft rock music, cheese and wine; and the upper bar was a symphony of classical music, martinis and Godiva.

The ability of guests to partcipate in each of the bars was determined by a random amount of phoney money distributed at the door. The majority of people were ‘classed’ as either middle or lower income, while fewer guests received enough money to frequent the upperclass bar.

As the night wore on, the consumption of alcohol lessened the inhibitions of the partcipants. This helped to foster a more playful and creative approach to stereotypical class roles and manifest the Saturnalian role reversal sought by the installation.

Instructions

How to Play: Upon arrival one will be stamped, assigned a class & a number, and given an amount of Base Kamp money proprtional to ones class. - Each class is assigned different denominations of Base Kamp money, however, you may use any denomination in any of the classes as long as you has enough money to pay for the drinks. If you do not like the class you have been assigned, you must impose on your fellows—Base Kamp will not change your class once it has been assigned. - Only Base Kamp money will be accepted. - Non-alcoholic beverages are available. If you are under-age you will be given a non-alcoholic beverage. If you are legal, but still would prefer a substitute, please let the bartender know. - This is a game about art and class—not about drinking. - Debate and discussion is encouraged. Please record your thoughts etc. in the comment book or on one of the video recorders. House Rules: -Smoking is only permitted by the front windows—please do not sit on the ledge. Please do not loiter outside thefront of the building. -All props have been designed to safely hold a certain # of people. The bartenders and attendents are here to insure your safety—please do not crowd the bars.

THE HEGEMONIC BAR PERFORMERS INSTRUCTIONS –IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE OR HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE SEE LEIGH OR ANOTHER BASE KAMP MEMBER –YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARD/FLAG UNDERAGE AND DISORDERLY PERSONS –POLICE THE PLATFORMS: MAKE SURE THE BODY COUNT DOES NOT EXCEDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRMENTS: ON THE PLATFORMS: UPPER 4 MIDDLE 8 LOWER 14 ON THE STEPS: 1—2 DEPENDING ON THE LEGTH OF THE STEPS ENCOURAGE POEPLE TO HANG-OUT ON THE GALLERY FLOOR — NOT ON THE BARS. –ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR CLASS UPPER SUPERIOR MIDDLE SACARINE LOWER SURLY –EACH CLASS HAS AT LEAST TWO BARTENDERS PLEASE ALTERNATE SHIFTS EVERY HALF/HOUR OR SO.

Credits

CONCEIVED, CREATED, AND PRODUCED BY THE MEMBERS OF BASE KAMP
Scott Rigby, David S. Dempewolf, Leigh Stevens, Christine Stoughton, Justin Matherly, and Scott Kip
PRESENTED BY BASE KAMP & FRIENDS MARCH 12, 1999
SET DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION BY David S. Demplewolf, Justin Matherly, & Scott Rigby
SET CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANTS Leigh Stevens, Cristine Stoughton, Scott Kip, Ryan Kattner, John Lorenzini, & Samantha Stoughton
LIGHTING DESIGN BY Jeff Foye
GRAPHIC DESIGN BY Scott Rigby, Justin Matherly & Leigh Stevens
VIDEO CONSULTANTS Ryan Kattner, Joe O’neil, & James Gaynor
COSTUME DESIGN Scott Rigby
PERFORMED BY members of BASE KAMP and Trish Yencha, Jason Yencha, John Lorenzini, Georginia Tobiska, Ed Kazarin, Jeff Foye, Mauro Zamora, Marc Robinson, Elizabeth Bell, & Steffka Ammon
MUSIC ARRANGEMENT Timothy Day
MUSIC DIRECTOR Leigh Dawn Stevens