Fred Lambert and Dean Nichols: Ex Machina

Fred Lambert
Dean Nichols
Ellen Sabine

Two curtains were placed in the rear left-hand section of the space. One opened horizontally while the other lowered from the ceiling. They parted to reveal pools of water, a sky, and the characters: one strapped to the ceiling (Lambert), one lying on a table which stands in water (Nichols), and one sitting in one of the pools (Sabine). The character on the ceiling and the one on the table discussed a variety of topics, expounded on others, moved, and listened to music. Lambert sang and threw coffee cups and ping pong balls toward the audience. Sabine told anecdotes about Lady Bird Johnson and about a recent beauty pageant. Predominant colors were aqua, dayglow orange and hot pink. Three painted sofas were placed to the right of the performing area. The installation of pools, curtains, and sofas was on exhibit on May 17 as well as on the performance days, May 18 – 19.

Excerpted from Brentano, R., & Savitt, M. (1981). 112 Workshop, 112 Greene Street: History, artists & artworks. New York: New York University Press.