Trina Merry works in body paint. Her surface is living, breathing human beings. Her work is temporary and begins to change into another work as soon as she stops painting, changing texture and color. So when Merry was invited to create an “intervention” for the exhibition Momentum: an experiment in the unexpected, she chose to respond to the work of Andy Goldsworthy: Goldsworthy’s process is also temporal in nature. 

Merry’s intervention will coincide with the installation of Goldsworthy’s Burnt Patch, 1995. As the crew assembles Goldsworthy’s work in SJMA’s courtyard, Merry will create two responses with fifteen nude, body-painted models. Part one, entitled The beginning of all life, will be a living, breathing installation that contrasts with the death-like center in Burnt Patch. It will begin at 11:30 AM in the lobby and continue through the afternoon. Part two, Aries (behind the woolly mask), will take place in the second floor sculpture court from 3 – 5 PM. This active performance is part of Merry’s astrology series. She chose Aries (the ram) because of Goldsworthy’s work with sheep in his native Scotland. 

Admission to part one in the lobby is free. Gallery admission tickets are required for part two.

Buy tickets for part two of the performance
Please note: this performance art piece involves live, male and female models who will be fully nude. Visitor discretion is advised.