May 3–10, 2001

mix picks

The Cello Man’s Dream

What do you call it when a life-size, cello-playing sculpture/puppet accompanies human musicians, poetry readers and a jazz singer? A "choreo-poem," maybe? Why not? Puppeteer J. Kadir Cannon, co-creator of The Cello Man’s Dream with fellow Open Path Theatre head Derek van der Tak, admits there’s no easy way to define the, um, show. "It’s not like a storyline drama. It’s more of a mood piece. That’s why we looked for other words." Choreo-poem it is, then. The performance kicks off Cannon’s new exhibition at Norristown’s Pagus Gallery. Like The Cello Man’s Dream, the sculptures and paintings in "Ancient Shadow, Modern Light," defy instant categorization. Cannon incorporates a variety of textures and mediums — and often, electric lights — to create art that comments on the human experience by stepping out of the flat surfaces meant to contain it.

—Patrick Rapa

The Cello Man’s Dream, Sun., May 6, 5 p.m., free. "Ancient Shadow, Modern Light" runs May 6-June 23, Pagus Gallery, Norristown Arts Building, 619 W. Washington St., Norristown, 610-272-8484, www.pagusgallery.com.