Owners Jen and Scott Sanders have assembled a boffo bash of base behavior to kick off the monthlong exhibition of artwork covering all three vices, attracting nightcrawlers of every sort to their den of indie iniquity.
"Sex fucking sells," says Scott Sanders, "and adding in rock and drugs has made this event as successful as it has been, and I'm only hoping it'll continue to grow."
Body artist extraordinaire Mark Greenawalt will paint the fearsome face of Gene Simmons on the torso of nubile model Kayla, with the shock rocker's signature tongue stretching to her pelvis. Greenawalt also chose the KISS front man because of the presence of author Bryan Kinnaird, who'll sign copies of Hell Box, a biography of Sean Delaney, the record producer and "self-proclaimed creator of theatrical KISS" who inked the band's first record deal in the '70s.
But will the throng get a peek at Kayla's goodies? "It'll be tastefully shown, but yes, you'll see boobs," says Greenawalt. "Usually when I paint a live model, all eyes focus on my work."
Speaking of naughty bits, J.T. Sikorski will provide a members-only look at genitalia with several slate sculptures of various phalli measuring, er . . . from eight to 10 inches in height, and other artists provide wooden carvings depicting bizarre copulations. Erastes Cinaedi also chipped in with a few debaucherous decoupage decorations of toilet seats. Attendees also might wanna spank the monkey -- quite literally -- as Simiana, a seductively slinky belly dancer clad in an ape mask, will shimmy and shake around the joint.
Moving from cock to rock, the aptly named band Smut Muffin will titillate with its trademark thrumming rhythms, sharing the bill with Quarter Inch Crown and the rockabilly trio The Toomstoners. Additionally, Joseph Szkodzinski offers up an array of photography snapped during the heyday of the New York City punk scene in the '80s, with candid shots of bands like The Misfits and the Circle Jerks. Ben Rolfe, Randy Zucker and Jeff Toleu also contribute photos for the show.
Scott Sanders admits that, untrue to its name, the affair neglects narcotic-related material, and since he can't dole out any doobage, Fred Sullenberger's abstract computer-generated psychedelic prints will have to suffice. But that's okay, as Lee Berger, artist and owner of the PHiX nightclub, will be hopping up his concept oil painting with both bhang and banging as it depicts a "crotch shot" of a nude woman with several spliffs and guitar picks arranged on her tummy.
As apropos as the work will be to the gutter-minded goings-on, Berger admits it wasn't his first choice when envisioning his contribution to the show.
"It was actually going to be a still life with a condom," says Berger. "But I decided to go a different route, especially since I paint a lot of nudes anyway."
