20071030 Phosphorescent (RGRS, Denton TX)

Phosphorescent's Accidental Art History Lecture

Beginning with a general review of classical representative art, Phosphorescent rolls out exhibit after exhibit of neo-classical gems, beautiful, theatrical and easily comprehensible. Relying on traditional forms of representation, the bulk of the performance exemplifies a mastery of the classical indyfolkcountryrockpop compositional milieu. Like Poussin or David, Phosphorescent reacts against the bubblegum rococo sensibilities of contemporary commercial pop with their own unique gravity and sense of history. As the performance progresses, it becomes clear that many of these classical compositional elements are less tools to tell a folktale or drama and more opportunities to experiment with the limits of style in representation. As old songs are exhumed, they take on new life with slightly renegotiated instrumentation, not enough to make each song new, but just enough to draw our attention away from the subject matter and onto the performance. This is the beginning of modern art. The performance then quickly progresses through various stages of modernism each less and less anchored to its subject and each increasingly conscious of its own productive process. Finally, as the multi-tonal drone devours whats left of representational music and converts the show into the sonic equivalent of color field painting, various members simply light up a cigarette and sit on the floor. The work has overtaken its producer, the music has ended and all that remains is the echoes of screaming equipment. It is sound about sound, it is a show about a show. Post-modernism at its purest. Next time you see phosphorescent, take a docent with you. -- Freddie

20071030 Phosphorescent

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