Rebirth Complete

Guests were given the full rebirth treatment last night at Punk Monk Propaganda's BORN IN THE DOORWAY sensory art and music experience. The eclectic combination of diy craft (collective zine making, mixtape writing and throwie making, live painting), soundscape trances, psychedelic moving liquid light bouncing off all walls and melting onto bodies, a giant peacock (GLAMOUR COCK) that eats your rubbish and 4 sets of live music brought to you by Wade Jackson, Driftwood Drones, The Prayer Circle and Hailer, created an atmosphere of excitement, pleasure and refreshment.

Guest became artist as Punk Monk set off to re-write the bounds of the traditional music gig and revive the ethos of Warhol's own Factory- where individuals have a space to test their individual works (of any medium- music, art, installation..) and collaborate whilst partying on in a stimulating environment. We've been playing with this idea for a while: having smaller arts which happen during the night as a response to and with the input of audiences which together create the larger combined work- an interactive, inter-media and inter-sensory (we're making up our own terms now) social event.

Our monthly initiative ALGAE RHYTHM was catalyst to this attitude, where curated nights give anyone willing, a chance to showcase what they're into, what they want others to share with them and visa versa. BORN IN THE DOORWAY was a chance for us to combine live music (whereas we usually stick to film screenings as a focus) and to play in a larger venue with a bigger group of people to get involved or convert to the ways of the Punk Monk.

Success rained as to our surprise, a continuous stream of guests took up the activities and contributed to the collective works. Intimate groups sat in circles making their page to go in the zine and trustingly handing over their places of residence where they'd await the end product (a BORN IN THE DOORWAY super zine!) to be sent snail mail style. Sydney zine scene here we come- yes?!

Snail mail was again revived in the old tradition of mixtape writing with the lovely Tash, adapted to the burnt CD and to be dropped at random into unsuspecting mail boxes. Throwie- making with Michael was met with burning curiosity with small glowing lights ending up in a myriad of places from roofs, to pony tails, to glasses, piercings , glamour cock and anything metallic that could be found. Btw- Who wants to get a massive throwie posse together for a throw off guerrilla style?

Deo live painted scenes from around the shop in gorgeous spontaneous streaks and handed it over to any willing participants; groups huddled and painted together- sunsets, birds, faces in A1 glory were put aside to dry.

Liquid light by Alex and Kate and the VJing efforts of James added something that's been missing at gigs for a long time, not since bands like the Jimi Hendrix Experience and The Grateful Dead has a live show ever looked so deliciously colourful and felt so psychotropic.

Shell Child's audio soundscape on intimate headphones and being manipulated live for each individual was a multi-sensory adventure in a way not expected and relatively unexplored in an event environment. Whilst giggers rocked out to the bands, groups of two could be at the sound booth in their own cocoon of sound waves which vibrate through the body as you stare trance-like into a vortex.

Photography beautified the walls with Andy Stavert's work a special highlight- photos taken during the week from a bike ride around the area surrounding the Factory in a tribute to the best suburb in the inner west- Marrickville (I'm a little bias here).

All 4 bands put on smashing sets with Diftwood Drones and The Prayer Circle who I hadn't experienced live before, definite stand out acts. Look out for these guys.

A definite highlight of the night preceded headlining band Hailer, as the MC lifted the already sky rocketing mood of the room in a proposal to his now to- be wife. A tingly end to a tingly night.

Born in the Doorway was brought to you by (and with many thanks) Greg Winnifield, Bands Hailer, The Prayer Circle, Driftwood Drones and Wade Jackson, the Punk Monks: Kate, Alex, myself, Ky, Felix, Michael, Kaitlyn, Davey, Michelle, Dermot, Karina (did I forget anyone?) and artists James, Deo, Jay, Andy, Tash and Jo. Thanks to the Factory for having such an awesome contact for the night: Darren- a very patient and cool guy.

P.S Have photos, write-ups, comments of the night- e-mail me at clare@punk-monk.com, we'd love to see, know and geet your feedback!

Keep the spirit of the eco-sculpture GLAMOUR COCK alive, ( let's keep creating together.)