Art installation, performances put new twist on familiar stories

The tales of Echo and Narcissus and of Little Red Riding Hood receive 21st-century makeovers in the first arts presentation of the 2011-2012 academic year staged by the New College Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies (HArCS) on Arizona State University’s West campus.

“Echo and Narcissus” is an installation featuring a performance, both live and on video, by Kristen Loree, and music by Barry Moon, assistant professor in the HArCS division.

“With the social media boom, narcissism has become all the rage,” Moon said. “We invite the public to come see our depiction of the original narcissist.”

The companion piece to “Echo and Narcissus” is “Twitch,” a deconstruction of Little Red Riding Hood reconstructed into a film and repeated in a live performance that resembles a forgotten ritual. Chris Danowski writes and directs performers Portia Beacham, Grace Daniels, Jonathan Hernandez, Rianna Marie, and Wilana White Coyote, with a soundscape by Stephen Christensen, and video configurations by Moon.

Performances of “Echo and Narcissus” and “Twitch” are scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. in ArtSpace West, Room 228 of the University Center Building on ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.

The “Echo and Narcissus” installation also will be available for viewing in ArtSpace West from Sept. 20 through Sept. 29. Gallery hours are: 1-3 p.m., Monday; noon-5 p.m., Tuesday; noon-3 p.m., and 6:15-8:15 p.m., Wednesday; and noon-8 p.m., Thursday.

The presentations are free and open to the public; visitor parking on campus costs $2 per hour.

For more information, call (602) 543-2787.