Imploding Empire Entertainments/Dissolving Astronaut

Imploding Empire Entertainments (1990-1996)/Dissolving Astronaut (2011-2019) sought to blend the temporal “gig” sensibility of a rock performance with the visuals and aesthetics of art installation. Performing alone or partnering with musical acts, IEE brought an array of projections, slides, and visual effects to art galleries and rock clubs alike. As a temporary “set up and play” attitude was the focus, performances were often short, improvisational, and subject to the vagaries of the venue du jour. Equipment was sourced and retrofit with rough handling and short set-up times in mind. Few performances were allowed the luxury of lead installation time and technical rehearsal so much of the focus of the performances was the temporal nature of the event and overcoming the associated technical and logistical challenges therein.

On the rare occasion that an installation was slated to be permanent or semi-permanent, the group could adapt to a more leisurely schedule and a more planned set-up and presentation.

Shows included UMASS Harbor Gallery, Hynes Auditorium (Boston), Max Fish (NYC), and touring productions with musical acts Inner Beauty, PRONG (Sony Music), Teledubgnosis and Mission Creep.