Written by Myrna tha Minx:

We unleashed our inner desire for bondage on a neighborhood bar. "Bar" is actually not the most accurate description. It's one of a more sordid subset of bars, mysteriously referred to as a "club."

An art co-op recently interested in my curatorial opinion was having a pre-premier party for a new arts&culture magazine at Rue 13, "...arguably the hottest spot on Washington Avenue," according to their own website. It is the type of place with a live DJ every night, a dance floor, a sushi bar, really dressed up young ladies complemented by young men in ball caps. It is on trendy Washington Avenue (somehow always desolate 5 nights of the week), which is lauded as a great "success story" of gentrification. The new lofts there are unaffordable by almost everyone, and there's not a decent grocery store for several dollars worth of gas. Interesting. In light of my new curatorial opportunity, I thought it would be behoove me to make an appearance and shake hands. Calyx thought it would be fun to do this task. So we went.

This is the street. Note the LED lane dividers.



This is the place, "...arguably the hottest spot on Washington Avenue."



This is what we encountered on the inside.



We took a skien of red yarn and tied down as many things as we could. We did not discriminate based on animate or inanimate qualities. I was able to tie up human beings with a dialog something like this:

"I was wondering if you'd like to help me out with something."

"Sure, what is it?" (they all said yes)

"Well, I'm feeling a bit insecure tonight. I just need to secure everything, you know, to feel stable."

They respond with a questioning stare.

I continue, "So I'm just gonna tie you up- eh, secure you- so that I feel better." I continue to explain, mostly by repeating myself in various ways, but most importantly I don't stop talking so they can't object. By this time the bondage- er, securing- is almost complete. They laugh in a mildly uncomfortable manner. And Calyx and I begin looking for the next target...

The mission was a success. Many people thought it was "awesome"- they told us so. And by the time we were through, the co-op offered creative control of the exhibitions in their new gallery space, possibly including the naming of it. Surely, it was because of this tomfoolery; it seems they need some SN.I.D.E. in their life.