avant garde theatre

July 17, 2009 7:18 PM

Im looking for sites showing videos of avant garde,fringe performances. YouTube is OK. Thanks
posted by Palmerpoodles to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Although it's collection is more work from the past than the present, you will find much avant garde video work at ubuweb.
posted by extrabox at 8:50 PM on July 17, 2009 [1 favorite]

Not totally sure what you're looking for specifically, what time period (or does that matter?). I can't think of specific sites that compile videos. Lots of cities have fringe festivals each year, which might have some interesting performances. I don't know a lot, but here are a few quick links off of YouTube since you said that might work:

- Alexander Calder's circus
- Salvador Dali's "Un Chien Andalou" is one of the classic Avant Garde films
- Marcel Duchamp
- John Cage
- Martha Graham choreography
- Brother Theodore is somewhat endearing and definitely very strange.
- B.J. Snowden's "outsider music" via Disinformation isn't really avant garde...or is she?
- This sex scene from Tampopo might even be considered avant garde. Ew... I don't know if I could watch that more than once.
- The music of Sun Ra
- Robert Fripp/King Crimson
- Mahavishnu Orchestra (maybe not avant garde/fringe, but I used to think this band was really out there!)
- Phillip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi
- Bobby McFerrin doing classical music is pretty cool.
posted by belau at 9:24 PM on July 17, 2009

Laurie Anderson, especially earlier stuff is considered avant garde by some, plenty of her stuff on YT.
posted by edgeways at 11:41 PM on July 17, 2009

Not sure if this entirely qualifies, but pre-Sex Drugs & Rock n' Roll Bogosian may be right up your alley.
posted by godisdad at 9:19 AM on July 18, 2009

Response by poster: Thank you all for the great leads..Every idea and all the artists mentioned are excellent.
posted by Palmerpoodles at 7:01 PM on July 18, 2009