Check out this interesting feature article in The New York Times arts section, “Shock Me if you Can”, on the value of shock in performing and visual arts. The Times spoke with playwrights Adam Rapp and Thomas Bradshaw, filmmaker John Waters and PS122’s Artistic Director Vallejo Gantner, among others.
There are a thousand different audiences,” said Vallejo Gantner, the artistic director of Performance Space 122 in the East Village. “At ‘The Book of Mormon’ the shock is all part of the fun. But it’s much harder to shock a downtown theatergoing audience.
What have you seen recently that’s shocking? Do you seek out art and performance that will startle and surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments here.