coming to Daniel Reich Gallery July 21
It has been theorized that the evolution of contemporary society will involve a breakdown into tribes. If it is truly the end of the world, we might see the organized protests in Greece, Wisconsin or Vancouver and the insurrections in the Arab world as at least in part symptomatic of a collapsed economy – built more on enthusiasm than on data. The resulting situation may not only threaten our economic system, it may threaten our Republics themselves!
There is a temptation to describe every group, every social network as a tribe, but to do so would be incorrect as the idea seems rooted in a return to past human organization requiring the close proximity of groups of individuals in reaction to the modern experience of isolation. For instance, one might think of the gypsies (who Madonna publically supports) and of their recent expulsion from France under Nicolas Sarkozy. A recent article in the Times Magazine compares Parick Cariou’s book on the Romany people to Britain’s “horse-drawns,” (hippie punks living close to the land) whose lineage it traces back to the anti-Thacherite protests of the eighties.
In various corners of New York City, tribes do gather and among these is FUCKNAILS, a beauty and relaxation collective that got its break doing Fire Island circuit parties. Whether parody or not, FUCKNAILS can only be understood as part of the health and wellness movement. As the business of the City raced along at light speed in the 00’s, below it a boutique industry flourished to suit the needs of anxious souls as though the residents of Dante’s purgatory had attendants to help. Cucumber juice was served, incense burned and somewhat Indian music played in the background while one clutched a magic rock awaiting ones appointment. One the one hand, these shops implicitly serviced the body as a productivity component suggesting that the centered self made more money. On the other hand the evolution of their offerings reflected advances in new age techniques bringing together a mélange of German notions, Chinese Medicine, Yoga etc. While the New Age had its first popular explosion in the sixties, it has been with us all along in forms ranging from Scientology to Jackson Pollock to something more current like FUCKNAILS.
The Fire Island circuit parties that launched FUCKNAILS began as conceptual parties intended to test the partygoer’s capacity for partying. They go all night and all day. They are definitely ancestors of the decadent movement and of parties such as “The Black Party” (which has another meaning now) thrown by the aesthete Des Eissents in the J.K. Huysmans’ novel Au Rebours.
In preparation, for our introduction of FUCKNAILS to the art community, we decided to conduct and interview:
DRG: What is your philosophy in terms of beauty?
FUCKNALS: We specialize in mistakes but we don’t repeat them.
DRG: In what section of the yellow pages can I find you?
FUCKNAILS: Progressive health and wellness
DRG: What are you exactly?
FUCKNAILS: A Full service nail spa and make over free pop-up boutique with drinks
DRG: What motivated you to suggest body paint as a beauty remedy? It seems a bit retro.
FUCKNAILS: To paint an entire naked body always makes for an element of entertainment and surprise so that one can enjoy oneself to the max.
DRG: Does your office have a midtown address?
FUCKNAILS: No usually the beach is our office.
DRG: Do you think corporations might be able to increase productivity by using the beach as an office?
FUCKNAILS: Obviously.
DRG: Do you offer services to both men and women at FUCKNAILS?
FUCKNAILS: All persuasions, hermaphrodites
DRG: You sent me a blog with a picture of Allan Cumming. Did he attend one of your events?
FUCKNAILS: Yes, Allan Cumming was in Fire Island and liked the World Blockers. They are emersion glasses and block out all stimulation from the world. They let you be in the moment and get to your center. They do look quite fashionable and glamorous while you are wearing them making what you see look great and you look great.
DRG: Would it be dangerous to constantly wear World Blockers. Has research been done?
FUCKNAILS: They are no more dangerous than continuous cell phone usage, but they really only ought to be worn for the amount of time necessary to take a break.
DRG: What I am anxious about is your qualifications? Have you been to beauty school?
FUCKNAILS: We are professional mistake makers.
DRG: Will the gallery smell like poppers?
FUCKNAILS: YES!
(Source: danielreichgallery.com)
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