WESTERN FRONT – Performance by Roger Ely and Ian Smith

Description:

As part of their cross-Canada tour, British performance artists Roger Ely and Ian Smith presented a two-part performance at Western Front. The first half was a collaborative piece inspired by the ritualistic wars of Aztec civilization. It was followed by a series of short solo works incorporating monologue, film, poetry, music, humour, and illusion.

The two artists, Roger Ely and Ian Smith, stand under the spotlight. Ian Smith is motion-blurred and wears a grey suit. While Roger Ely stares at him expressionless, with his hands inside the pockets of his black trousers. In front of them is a desk with an analogue film projector, a microphone on a stand, and a notation stand.

Artist Roger Ely stands under the spotlight. He's wearing a dark suit over a bright shirt with a bow tie. The room is full of props for the performance. On the wall at the back, there is written text that reads “No smoking”.

Artist Roger Ely is sitting on a chair and leaning forward at a desk. The light coming from the desk lamp illuminates his frowning expression. Portions of the objects near the table can be seen, thanks to the light that's bouncing off them.

Artist Ian Smith stands under the spotlight and in front of a microphone. His free hand is in motion as he reads from a sheet of paper. He wears a suit and tie, with his hair styled in a mullet. Beside him, there's a notation stand holding his papers, with a sprout of white lilies adorning it.

Artist Ian Smith stands under the spotlight and in front of a microphone. He’s wearing a fur cape, a fur loincloth, a fur glove on one of his hands, sandals, and a horn on his forehead. Beside him, there's a notation stand holding his papers, with white flowers adorning it.

Artist Ian Smith stands beneath a spotlight, speaking into a standing microphone, his hands blurred in motion. He dons wide-rimmed glasses, a top hat, and a belted, embroidered coat. In front of him, there is a horn-shaped object mounted to a mic stand, adorned with a sprout of white lilies.

Captions:

Roger Ely and Ian Smith at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.
Roger Ely at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.
Roger Ely at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.
Ian Smith at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.
Ian Smith at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.
Ian Smith at Western Front, photo documentation, Apr 20, 1987. Photo by Reece Metcalfe.

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.