Michael Alan Alien @ The Village Works Gallery and Bookstore

May 29

Art Opening at featuring a special performance of “The Human Canvas” by Jadda Cat

Words by Mo Kelly Nolan, photography by Maurice Narcis

Michael Alan Alien (IG: @michaelalanalien) is an underground artist with a dedicated fanbase, most of whom he met at his former popular Draw-A Thon in the East Village’s “Theater Row,” East 4th Street (between 2nd Ave and Bowery.) Alien’s Draw-A-Thon was a long running happening for over 50 artists; drawing, painting, some even writing. Some of the best art models and artists in NYC were drawn to his show. They were free to express their own art. Inspired by the vibrant freeform nature of the event, they gradually moved on from ordinary nude figure modeling and brought body paint, costumes and character work to their performances. It was innovative. It was different. No two shows were the same. The audience was there for it.

Michael Alan Alien loves to bring his art to the “Museum of the Street.” Alien Art is inspired by his hometown of NYC. Alien carefully draws figures or scenes on paper and other media in his signature black ink squiggles with the occasional blast of color. Alien says his art is inspired by Dali, but Alien’s work is easily identifiable and unique.

On Thursday, May 26, The Living Installation returned to the East Village. It began with a reception for prints of new work now hanging in The Village Works Gallery and Bookstore, 90 E. 3rd St. (IG: @villageworksnyc.) This extraordinary bookshop sells unique art books you can peruse, discover, buy and devour. Village Works is a not so hidden gem of a local bookstore.

Jadda Cat (IG: @thelivinginstallation) prepared to transform herself into *The Human Canvas.*

Michael Alan Alien’s opening to the exhibit featured a performance by Jadda Cat (IG: @thelivinginstallation)who transformed herself into The Human Canvas. Jadda Cat began fiercely, by duct-taping a canvas to her head. That particular canvas eventually became a lovely work of abstract art. With her fellow performance artist, model, and DJ, Tim “Love” Lee pumping the beats, she took mad dives into her art process dousing herself in every color of paint sold in the kid’s aisle and even giant bottles of Elmer’s glue. Her body form was soon unrecognizable, covered in plastic wrap, twine, aluminum foil, even chicken wire. At one point, she threatened to eat paint while the crowd held their breath. And she did, to wild applause. She may be a “real life muppet” as she says, but she controls the puppet.

One highlight of The Human Canvas was when Jadda Cat was birthed, head first, from a salvaged portrait of some rich dude. Emerging through the womb of this print, she began vocalizing punk-like sounds; screams, cawing, cackling, howling. Her antics brought to mind the metaphor of a Wall Street mischief-maker being destroyed. Jadda Cat, The Human Canvas, was no longer human. She was living art.

It was an immersive experience. As was said by the Seattle man standing beside me, “I’ve never seen anything like this!” Well now, fellow New Yorkers, keep your heads held high. Outrageous art is NYC's forte. We welcome you sir, to be part of New York’s art scene where onlookers often feel like a necessary part of the process. All art needs inspiration. Michael Alan Alien’s art needs you.