Haul of Fame

Heavy lifters by trade, Mambo Movers step out as heavy-hitting art stars.

by Lori Hill

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Published: Jul 29, 2008

MAMBO NO. 1: Christian Ziegler's oil painting Couch Potato is inspired by "men's magazines of the '50s and '60s." (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

"Only in Philadelphia can you be a celebrity mover," says Candace Karch, who's preparing to open a show of artwork by the hippest group of manual laborers in the city.

If you've lived here long enough, you've seen the Mambo Movers truck, with its cramming-a-rhinoceros-into- a-van logo. And if you've run out of friends willing to haul your sectional around a trinity staircase for the fourth time, you've likely had Mambo move you. Once you've seen them employ their contortionist approach to getting your earthly possessions from one place to another, you'll never go back: bending bodies into right angles, balancing easy chairs on backs, hoisting a mattress through a second-floor window like an unfairly matched tug-of-war.

Now, for the first time, the Mambo guys are exhibiting their work together at Karch's Bambi Gallery in Fishtown, and playing together in a music showcase at Johnny Brenda's. A pal of Karch's who works for Mambo pitched the idea to her.

Mambo is a Philly moving company staffed by artists, musicians and all manner of creative types who aren't intimidated by the idea of a little sweat. Having a talented group of employees is fun to watch. "The real joy is to see them all together, all of that energy in one room ... it's amazing," says Mambo co-owner Pete Danz.

Having a supportive employer is important, too. "There are so many artists in this city, and having a 9-to-5 job would not suit their needs as far as being able to pursue their own work," says Karch of the attraction of working for Mambo.

She believes the diverse scope may surprise some viewers. "Some of these guys approach their work very delicately," she says, "something you don't consider when you think of men as laborers."

A quick sampling of the work reveals that range. Justin Duffus contributes a lovely sandal crafted from wood that rivals a Dr. Scholl's original, as well as small-scale textural paintings. Billy Dufala contributes a 3-foot robot called Optimus Prime. Christian Ziegler's painting Couch Potato is sweetly funny, part of a series inspired, he says, by "the nostalgia of old sailors' drink toasts and men's magazines from the '50s and '60s."

"Working side by side with talented artists and musicians every day is great," says Ziegler. "Having such a creative intellect around me every day is priceless, and the guys are honestly some of the best people I've ever met."

One mover/artist, Chris Thomas, designed the postcard for the show. Karch says it's a drawing of co-worker Jesse Whitacke carrying the company's rhino mascot on his back in what's a trademark Mambo technique. "Apparently he invented this way to carry stuff, at least at Mambo," says Karch. Whitacke's skills as an artist are equally inventive, as his lovely, collaged Angels and Jaws proves. Thomas, meanwhile, will be the recipient of the proceeds from the door on the night of the music showcase, as well as 20 percent of sales at the preview night. Thomas injured his finger and wound up having expensive surgery, says Danz. "I am really proud of how they banded together on their own to help CT," he says. "It really made me happy. It's what I feel Mambo is about."

The Johnny Brenda's show will include Mambo bands The Extraordinaires, Dog and Pony, The Sounds of Kaleidoscope and Company Corvette, another reflection of the Mambo talent pool.

"To say Mambo moved you is cool, right?" says Karch. "Imagine telling your friends Ryder moved you. That conversation falls flat, but if you say Mambo, it opens up an entire dialogue."

The gallery's also touting the show's appeal to the ladies, with press release lines like "the beefiest men in town" and "pulsing biceps." Karch doesn't deny the charges. "I love that this is an all-male revue," she says. "Male artists at a gallery called Bambi — how ironic." It's possible she's on to something, though. "I do hear that lots of women use Mambo to move," says Karch. "Who doesn't want some intelligent eye candy at your disposal for several hours?"

Intelligent eye candy — not a bad way to describe both the artists and the art.

(l_hill@citypaper.net)

Opens Thu., July 31, 5-8:30 p.m., First Friday, Fri., Aug. 1, 6-9:30 p.m., exhibit through Sept. 20, Bambi Gallery, 1817 Frankford Ave., 215-423-2668, bambiproject.com; music showcase, Thu., July 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, johnnybrendas.com.

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