The Rise and Fall of the Peanut Party

Description:

The Rise and Fall of the Peanut Party was a performance, video work, and publication by John Mitchell that reflected on his experience as the campaign manager and spokesperson for Mr. Peanut (Vincent Trasov) during his run for mayor in the 1974 Vancouver civic election. Video documentation of the performance shows Mitchell sitting at a desk in a suit and tie while reading a selection of journal entries written during the twenty-day campaign. The performance takes place in front of a projected backdrop showing a slideshow of images and ephemera from the election.

The work was performed live in the Grand Luxe Hall alongside a screening of a thirty-minute video that compiled Mr. Peanut’s television appearances throughout the campaign.  

Video documentation is available upon request.