Art of Bleeding is a performance art troupe dedicated to warping its audience, one pseudo-medical extravaganza at a time. With former Cacophony Society leader Rev. Al Ridenour as its intrepid founder, AoB are notorious for their multi-media shows featuring a real ambulance, injured “patients” ensnared by medical equipment, fetish nurses ready to ambush attendees, traumatic video projections, and of course, puppets. I’ve been dying to witness this madness for myself ever since seeing the act described as a “paramedical funhouse”, and on Saturday, I finally got my wish. The Art of Bleeding crew took over one of the massive rooms at Circus Disco during this year’s first installment of Fetish Nation - a dance club night dedicated to electro-industrial music and some aspects of the BDSM scene.
Since it was Medical Fetish night, the wheelchairs, hospital beds, anatomical models and I.V.s brought by Al and team fit right in. However, I can’t help but wonder how many of those present were prepared for what happened once the party really got going. Perhaps they expected the rope bondage and suspension performance on the main stage, but what of the racing wheelchairs and their bruised and belligerent occupants? And what about the maniacal laughter of bedridden patients, and enough neck braces, oxygen tubes and arm slings to make the entire cast of Cronenberg’s Crash jealous? Let us not forget the screeching soundscapes and video montages of everything from vintage first aid instruction to surgery footage, projected on several massive screens. I imagine those raised a few eyebrows, too. But not for long! Soon enough, partygoers were lining up near the nurse station, happy to be examined and sternly reprimanded.
After a few hours in the midst of all the splendid debauchery, I was a convert, too. Art of Bleeding performances are not for the closed-minded or faint-hearted, but I think you guys can handle it. I believe in you! Sign up for the AoB mailing list to find out about the next paramedical funhouse experience.
