October 1st, 2018
Redline Contemporary Art Center, Denver
An invocation of the elusive and enigmatic artist Adolf Wölfli (1864-1930), a modest celebration in music and spoken word. At Waldau Mental Asylum in Bern, Switzerland, one of the world’s most prolific artists wrote and illustrated more than 25,000 pages in a 35-year spate of creation. We shared in the the tradition of enacting the works of this mammoth outsider with our unique interpretations from Puddle Theater under the direction of Victoria Garrison.
The audience was invited to hear passages from “Cradle to the Grave” in the original German; they learned to play “The Chocolate Suchard” on Wölfli’s signature paper trumpets, and heard digitally recomposed ballads from the artist's oeuvre. Together we slipped into the unconscious for an evening with the creative riddles from the king of artist kings, Adolf Wölfli.
Concept and musical arrangements by Max Maddox, directed and co-written by Victoria Garrison, with libretto by Puddle Theatre and special guest, accordionist Esmerelda Strange.
Audio Excerpts:
A recitation from Puddle Theater's 'Outsider Chorus"
A reading from Cradle to the Grave in the original Swiss-German by Patrick Hubenthal.
The Siblings Sheehan lead a paper trumpet lesson and read from Cradle to the Grave.
Accordionist Esmerelda Strange plays her unique interpretation of a score from Geometric and Algebraic Books (1912-1916)
Digital musical adaptation by Max Maddox of The Island Neveranger
Adolf Wölfli The Island Neveranger, from the book Cradle to the Grave, 1908-1912e.