Mobius Artists Group, founded in 1977 by Marilyn Arsem in Boston, Massachusetts, has carved a unique niche in the performing arts landscape. This interdisciplinary collective is renowned for its innovative approach, merging visual arts, performance, and media into dynamic live performances and installations. Over the decades, Mobius has performed in various theaters and venues, each contributing to its rich history and evolution as an artist-run organization. This article delves into the theaters where Mobius has made its mark, exploring their significance and the impact of Mobius’s performances on the broader artistic community.
Origins of Mobius
The inception of Mobius can be traced back to a studio in Somerville, Massachusetts, where Arsem invited fellow artists from the Boston art scene to collaborate on live performances. These early endeavors were characterized by their experimental nature, often blurring the lines between audience and performer through “audience-activated performances” that allowed spectators to engage directly with the art being created. This foundational ethos of interactivity and innovation set the stage for Mobius’s future endeavors.
Key Theaters And Venues
1. Kingston Street Loft
Between 1980 and 1983, Mobius Theater operated out of a fifth-floor loft on Kingston Street in Boston’s Chinatown. Although this space lacked adequate building-code compliance for public performances—relying on an extension cord for electricity—it served as a critical incubator for workshop performances. Here, Mobius began to experiment with various performance structures, paving the way for more formal presentations in the years to come.
2. Helen Shlien Gallery
Located in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood, the Helen Shlien Gallery became one of Mobius’s first public performance spaces. This venue hosted several significant events during the early years of Mobius Theater, including collaborative works that showcased emerging performance artists alongside established figures in the Boston arts community. The gallery was instrumental in fostering a sense of community among local artists and audiences alike.
3. Massachusetts College of Art and Design
The Overland Street Theater at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design was another early venue where Mobius performed. This theater provided a platform for students and local artists to engage with experimental theater practices. Performances here often featured collaborations between Mobius members and students from various disciplines, highlighting the collective’s commitment to education and artistic exchange.
4. Fort Point Arts Community
In 1983, Mobius transitioned to a dedicated performance/gallery space at 354 Congress Street in Fort Point, which became its home for two decades. This venue allowed Mobius to expand its programming significantly, hosting hundreds of original works that garnered both national and international acclaim. The space was celebrated for its flexibility, accommodating a wide range of artistic expressions from dance to multimedia installations.
5. Boston Cyberarts Gallery
In 2017, Mobius Artists Group presented a series of programs at the Boston Cyberarts Gallery. This venue is known for its focus on art that intersects with technology and digital media. The programs included exhibitions and performances that explored contemporary themes through innovative artistic practices. The collaboration with Boston Cyberarts reflects Mobius’s ongoing commitment to embracing new media as part of its artistic repertoire.
6. Grace Exhibition Space
Mobius was invited to participate in “INFILTRATE!”, a festival at Grace Exhibition Space in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011. This event showcased performance art from various artists across different backgrounds, allowing Mobius to engage with a broader audience outside Boston.
The festival highlighted the group’s dedication to fostering international collaborations within the performance art community.
7. MoMA PS1
In 2012, Mobius contributed to “100 Years of Performance,” organized by MoMA PS1 in collaboration with Performa. This exhibition celebrated a century of performance art history and included contributions from various artists worldwide. Mobius’s involvement underscored its status as a key player in the contemporary performance art scene.
8. Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
In collaboration with Bbeyond Performance Art from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Mobius participated in the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in 2018. This exchange project involved traveling between Boston and Belfast, showcasing performances that explored cultural narratives within each city’s context. Such collaborations demonstrate Mobius’s commitment to international dialogue through art.
Impact on The Arts Community
Mobius Artists Group has significantly influenced both local and international arts communities through its innovative performances and collaborative projects. By providing a platform for experimental work across multiple disciplines—performance art, sound art, video installations—the group has inspired countless artists to push boundaries within their practices.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Mobius has always emphasized collaboration among artists from diverse backgrounds. This approach not only enriches individual projects but also fosters a sense of community among artists who may not typically work together.
Educational Initiatives
Through workshops and partnerships with educational institutions like Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Mobius has played an essential role in nurturing emerging talent within the arts community. These initiatives encourage students to explore experimental practices while learning from established artists.
Cultural Exchange
Mobius’s commitment to international exchanges has allowed it to share ideas and practices with artists worldwide. Projects involving collaborations with artists from countries such as Macedonia, Croatia, Poland, and Taiwan highlight how cultural exchange can enhance artistic expression and foster understanding across borders.
Conclusion
The journey of Mobius Artists Group through various theaters reflects its evolution as an influential force in contemporary performance art. From its humble beginnings in a Chinatown loft to its current projects across diverse venues both locally and internationally, Mobius continues to challenge conventions within the performing arts landscape.
As it moves forward into new spaces—both physical and conceptual—Mobius remains dedicated to its core values: experimentation, collaboration, and community engagement. Through these principles, it not only creates compelling art but also inspires future generations of artists to explore their creative boundaries.
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