curated by Elvis Richardson
Claire Lambe, Renny Kodgers,
Nat Thomas & Concettina InserraApril 24 from 6pm @ Hell Gallery
Stimulus Package performance by
Renny KodgersShower me with Leigh Bowery
performance and installation by
Nat Thomas & Concettina InserraApril 25th – 26th @ Ocular Lab
The Model
performance and installation by Renny Kodgers
(performance on Saturday April 25th 3-5pm)May 2nd – 17th @ Ocular Lab
Ultra Primo installation by
Claire Lambe
(Opening May 2nd 3-5pm)
The Model Renny Kodgers
Photo: Aileen Robalino
Claire Lambe, Renny Kodgers and the collaborative duo Nat Thomas and Concettina Inserra in GET OAK FIRMNESS a performance and exhibition program exploring the expectations, power functions and romantic notions of the penis will be staged over two of the most interesting artist run venues in Melbourne; Hell Gallery and Ocular Lab.
The Oak tree known for its long growing hard wood and majestic presence is a universal symbol of strength and endurance. In the swollen promises of email spam and miracle products, the power to erect larger dimensions of the penis is the embodiment of manhood in redevelopment. This is where the GET OAK FIRMNESS show begins.
Renny Kodgers
Photo: Jade Carden
Renny Kodgers is a force of charm few can resist and he will bring his charismo to Hell Gallery for the opening of GET OAK FIRMNESS in his debut Melbourne performance Stimulus Package. With more than a passing resemblance to the great bearded crooner, Renny Kodgers inhabits a towering performative presence not afraid to put it out there and make it hot.
The penis is hidden away yet transferred into exhibitionism by an array of outrageous costumes inspired by the legendary Melbourne born artist Leigh Bowery in Nat Thomas and Concettina Inserra’s opening night dress up party Shower me with Leigh Bowery. A changing room in the gallery space becomes a green room photo studio and the exhibition opening the social stage in which to ‘make current’ re-enactments of Bowerys dandyism and body art.
Nat Thomas and Concettina Inserra
GET OAK FIRMNESS will continue at Ocular Lab on Saturday April 25 where the penis is exaggerated and on display directly on the body of Renny Kodgers as he nude life models for a drawing class in the gallery. Renny instructs his students in the fine arts on how read and render his posturing repertoire to hilarious effect.
From Saturday May 2nd at Ocular Lab GET OAK FIRMNESS extends the penis encounter with an installation of Claire Lambe’s enlarged bronzed dildos. Housed in a mirrored wonder cabinet in a reconstructed gallery space Lambe presents the penis as a weapon of display. The dildo, the physical substitute for the penis is combined with the handle of a rolling pin posing flagrant gendered questions about absolute power and who wields it.
GET OAK FIRMNESS presents a take on masculinity through performance and sculpture and the commanding phallus of the penis.
Ultra Primo Claire Lambe bronze
Photo: Joseph Lambe
Hell Gallery | Ocular Lab Inc | Elvis Richardson | Renny Kodgers