Interview with Agosto Machado, November 2, 2018

 This is the first of a series of interviews Ela Troyano and I did of Agosto in 2018.

As I did not have video of this and only audio I married the audio to two series of slides I shot of Agosto in 2003 and 2011 https://youtu.be/5WEOPw7Mz9Y

CHEET CHAT SEIS WITH CARMELITA TROPICANA 1985 AT CLUB CHANDALIER

 I recently came across this video of the 1985 show at Club Chandalier (sic) featuring many of the 1980’s East Village Luminaries on Archives.org. Here is a link https://archive.org/details/llparnes001

QUEER TURF, 1991, documents the 1991 Gay Pride March in NYC, shot with an intervalometer... see it on Facebook

 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18K7KmQByP/

11>12 (working title Branded) Video 75 min., world premier at MODERN MONDAYS, The Museum of Modern Art, N.Y., April 27, 7pm

 

https://www.artnews.com/list/art-news/market/frieze-los-angeles-2026-best-booths-1234774850/marley-freeman-and-textile-artifacts-at-parker-gallery/

 

DOLLWAY TO HEAVEN, (1983/87) one of my “Photo-Chandaliers” to be shown at Frieze LA opening Feb. 27, 2026

11>12, 2025 (my new documentary) World Premiere at New York's Museum of Modern Art's MODERN MONDAYS, Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7pm

                                  11>12, 2025

In June, 1995 my old friend Master C invited me to San Francisco to document the commitment ceremony he and his partner Daddy G had planned for their 12th anniversary.  Daddy G requested to be branded with their lucky number 11.  11>12 documents the branding ceremony, and the events that followed and offers a view of the couples’ unique lifestyle.  Edited in 2025, it was shot with minimum light.  Technological advances have made the previously overly dark footage viewable.  In light of the often explicit nature of the material, the participants have largely requested to remain anonymous. Video, 75 min.

Uzi at Frieze L.A. February 2026. https://www.instagram.com/p/DRSHUYsDmGX/

 

Interview with Agosto Machado

 

https://youtu.be/q4GdQU-H3QM

https://youtu.be/q4GdQU-H3QM?si=PoDEg_cuYTK1QP2o

MY GAY PRIDE 1994

https://youtu.be/1a0VSO443hg

My Gay Pride 1994 documents the first Drag March featuring Hedda Lettuce, the march to Central Park and the rally commemorating the 25th anniversary of The Stonewall Rebellion, featuring Jimmy Sommerville and Liza Minelli and finally the dance on the U.S.S. Intrepid 

https://youtu.be/1a0VSO443hg

CHEET CHAT WITH CARMELITA at Club Chandalier, November 1985

 

https://archive.org/details/llparnes001

https://archive.org/details/llparnes001     

To view the tape hit link above

June 4, 2025 at MoMA

QUEER AND UNCENSORED AT MoMA

 https://silverscreenoasis.com/oasis3/viewtopic.php?p=217991#p217991

Rumour has it my GIRLS CANT HELP IT 1986 and MY GAY PRIDE 1994 (which has only been shown once before on GCN) are part of this monumental event

Cherry Grove SHED-stallation, Video in my shed 6/11 and 6/12, 2022

  

                              SHED-stallation 

                              Video in my shed.

                                    Uzi Parnes

             Saturday, June 11 & Sunday, June12

                                 12-2pm

                                  In Memoriam

            Bill Ness, 1959-2019, 108 Green Walk

            (A.K.A. Just Trash, Goldie, Messy Nessy)

                                    Homovies, 

                                     including:

                   3 or 4 Invasions, 1996-1999

                  Bill Ness Memorial short, 2019

         TREASURES FROM THE HOUSE OF NESS

            Donated by his partner Eddie Limoncelli

please take one per person with a $1 (or more) donation

ALL DONATIONS GO TO THE CHERRY GROVE DUNE FUND

I WASN’T COUNTED AT THE MARCH at MoMA January 31, 2020

UZI FILMS AND VIDEOS AT MoMA

https://www.moma.org/artists/75052?=undefined&page=1&direction= 

I am honored to have my film and video work from 1972 to 2012 be acquired by MoMA

Saying goodbye to 40 years of originals and masters.  Before and after photos in my studio and their new abode.  Sad but oddly liberating.   After years of choosing not to show many of these, the choice is no longer mine...

photos coming soonhttps://www.moma.org/artists/75052https://www.moma.org/artists/75052

THE BARONESS VON HINDENBERG RETURNS, outside at Performances Staged, May 1977

My first performance at Performances Staged, my loft on West Broadway, in May 1977

 was a Structuralist pantomime/dance descending the fire escape: 

THE BARONESS VON HINDENBERG RETURNS

 The Baroness, a combination go Grace Kelly and Anita Ekberg leaves her high school flame in Centralia for the high life with a Hollywood producer who offers her a film career.

 She leaves the producer to marry a European Baron and then is lured back by the producer who offers her a TV series.  She tosses the kids and returns to the U.S.

 There she runs into her high school flame now a bum in SoHo and offers herself but he has moved on, preferring his life as a bum.

Photographs by Edward Druck,        
The Cast:  Bette Druck as The Baroness,
Jed Harris as The Producer,
Brian Russo as The Baron,
& yours truly as The Bum/old flame.
A soundtrack blared from outdoor speakers on the third floor.

You can now watch LOVE AT THE BEACH II on VIMEO

Shot over a two week period in Cherry Grove and consisting of over 800 photos love At The Beach II continues my explorations with light and scale through the use of miniature plastic animals of different size.  This time they encounter live fauna who may not be all that pleased with the plastic
invasion.

https://vimeo.com/176323344?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220

To watch enter the password "loveatthebeach2"

WORLD PEACE at Howl NYC, Friday 4/22 at 2pm Free

Friday, April 22, 2016 / 2 PM / Free

Full Moon Show

Surprise Performance and

Screening of Uzi Parnes short film starring Tom, World Peace

A Tom Murrin/Alien Comic Invention

Spend your lunch break with the lunatic fringe! Outside, on the sidewalk, in front of Howl! Happening, experience the nutty wonderment that was the essence of Tom Murrin, our beloved Alien Comic. After the surprise performance we’ll be screening Uzi Parnes short film, World Peace, (1987) starring Tom as Claude Balls a philandering East Village performer gets his just reward when he hooks up with three beautiful women after his show are sure to have you begging for more. And there is more: For the astrologically handicapped, next month’s full scale, full moon performance madness is coming up Sunday, May 22^nd at 4 PM and features the presentation of Dixon Place’s 2016 Tom Murrin Performance Award, also known as The Tommy, to cultural tastemaker /////.

About Uzi Parnes

Uzi Parnes is a New York based filmmaker, photographer and actor. His photographs, video and live-film performances have been shown worldwide—most recently as part of Recycling Atlantis at 80WSE Gallery, NY (2014) and in a career survey at The Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art, Berlin (2012).  His installation “Basra On First Avenue” at Broadway Windows, NY (10/14-2/15) was named one of the best artworks of 2014 by noted critic David Ebony.  More about Parnes

About Tom Murrin and the Full Moon Show

Performance is anything done with purpose and style—Tom Murrin

Howl! Happening houses the archive of Tom Murrin. Tom, aka the Alien Comic, is known as the Godfather of Performance Art. Every full moon—without fail, paid booking or not, in all seasons and whatever the weather—he performed his Luna Macaroona Full Moon Show. When he had a club date that fell on the full moon, he'd wrangle his friends to perform as his guests—pushing the careers of such groundbreaking performers as David Cale, David Sedaris, Amy Sedaris, Blue Man Group, Ethyl Eichelberger, Lisa Kron and many others. When he didn’t have a club date, he performed on street for passersby, transforming the pedestrian atmosphere with his madness and magic. Howl! Happening’s monthly series continues that tradition, with full scale, full moon performances in the gallery, and surprise pop up performances on the street. 

Machito Tropicana Bares Her All at the WOW Memories of the Revolution Book Party @Dixon Place

https://goo.gl/photos/rTJCuntWfPR9VKt19 

Not sure how that goo.gl address came about--not my doing 
but you can view the video at address above... ENJOY
For me it was one of the absolute highlights of the night.
A brilliant performance, Kudos and BRAVO

EXCERPT FROM MEMORIES OF THE REVOLUTION 1986-87

Excerpt from MEMORIAS DE LA REVOLUCION/MEMORIES OF THE REVOLUTION by Carmelita Topicana and Uzi Parnes, Directed and Choreographed by Uzi Parnes.  This excerpt features a production number with, Maureen Angelos, Lisa Kron, Peggy Healy, Holly Hughes, Dianne Jeep Reese, Alison Rooney, & Kate Stafford. It is followed by Pingalito Betancourt's (played by Carmelita Tropicana)speech about Cuba. Videography by Ela Troyano 1886-87.  Shot at WOW and PS122 in 1986 and 1987.

The Silence of Marcel Duchamp & Bubble Double at The Drawing Center Feb. 12 @ 7:30

drawingcenter"Basement Performances" curated by renowned composer and performer #JohnZorn will take place at The Drawing Center Jan 29-Feb 13, on Fridays and Saturdays. Go to link on our profile for details and tickets $10-20. 
The six cutting edge multi-media performances in our Lab will bring together improvised music with expanded cinema and feature some of Downtown New York’s most adventurous musicians and visual artists including: #OkkyungLee and #AndrewLampert; #RahaRaissnia and #PanagiotisMavridis; #BillLaswell; #KennyWollesen and #JuliaElsas; #ElaTroyano and #UziParnes; and #IkueMori. 
Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm $10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Ela Troyano (filmmaker, actress) and Uzi Parnes (photographer, performer)
Parnes and Troyano will work environmentally, presenting two works – “The Silence of Marcel Duchamp” with John Zorn’s “BeuysBlock” as a soundtrack and a live film version of “Bubble People”, featuring legendary filmmaker Jack Smith along with Parnes and Polly Bradfield. Bradfield, one of downtown’s earliest improvisers, can be seen and heard on violin and record player. Bubble People Troyano’s first film was shot at Parnes' loft Performances Staged and includes his environments and artworks. 


Stills from The Silence of Marcel Duchamp

Save the date - February 12 for a live film show at the Drawing Center in Soho

Fridays and Saturdays in late January and early February, The Drawing Center will present Basement Performances curated by renowned composer and performer John Zorn. The six cutting edge multi-media performances in our Lab will bring together improvised music with expanded cinema and feature some of Downtown New York’s most adventurous musicians and visual artists including: Okkyung Lee and Andrew Lampert; Raha Raissnia and Panagiotis Mavridis; Bill Laswell; Kenny Wollesen and Julia Elsas; Ela Troyano and Uzi Parnes; and Ikue Mori.

The Basement Performances are produced by Brett Littman, Executive Director.

Friday, January 29 at 7:30pm
$10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Okkyung Lee (composer, cellist) and Andrew Lampert (artist, film archivist)
Performing a site-specific piece with multiple projections and live music

Saturday, January 30 at 7:30pm
$10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Raha Raissnia (artist) and Panagiotis Mavridis (artist, musical instrument maker)
Performing with multiple looped 35 and 16 mm film projections and installation with live music

––

Friday, February 5 at 7:30pm
$20 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Bill Laswell (record producer, bassist)
Performing to Godfrey Reggio's Koyaanisqatsi

Saturday, February 6 at 7:30pm
$10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Kenny Wollesen (percussionist) and Julia Elsas (artist)
Kenny Wollesen and Julia Elsas will create an intimate sonic and visual performance with handmade instruments and an object-based installation.

––

Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm
$10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Ela Troyano (filmmaker, actress) and Uzi Parnes (photographer, performer)
Parnes and Troyano will work environmentally, presenting two works – The Silence of Marcel Duchamp with John Zorn’s BeuysBlock as a soundtrack and a live film version of Bubble People, featuring legendary filmmaker Jack Smith along with Parnes and Polly Bradfield. Bradfield, one of downtown’s earliest improvisers, can be seen and heard on violin and record player. Bubble PeopleTroyano’s first film was shot at Parnes' loft Performances Staged and includes his environments and artworks.

Saturday, February 13 at 7:30pm
$10 at BrownPaperTickets.com
Ikue Mori (improviser, composer)
Performing a new live visual and sound piece based on the Nathaniel Hawthorne tale “Pomegranate Seeds”

Image: Raha Raissnia, Longing, 2014. 16 mm film, color, 20-minute loop, optical sound. Dimensions variable. Image courtesy of the artist and Miguel Abreu Gallery, New York.

http://www.drawingcenter.org/en/drawingcenter/20/events/21/public-programs/1284/basement-performances/

My accidental tzimmis with matzo-meal streusel

For my semi-seder this year I made my usual brisket (see recipe in an earlier entry) but had a hard time finding the apricot nectar I usually use to cook the meat in and had to find a substitution.  I got a can of apricot halves and another of pineapple chunks both in heavy syrup and used the fruit along with two cut up large onions and 8 or 10 baby carrots as a rack for my meat, and used the syrup along with two cups of sweet kosher wine and 2 cups of beef bouillon to cook the meat low and slow.  Since I was planning on having baby carrots as a side dish about an hour before I took the meat out I stuck a pound package of baby carrots in a baking dish and let them roast at about 275 for an hour or so.  They weren't quite done so I figured I would roast them longer the next day when cooking the meat after it has been sliced.  But after I saw all the stewed apricots, pineapple and onion under the brisket a flash bulb went off in my Yiddishe kopp and suddenly it occurred to me why not try making a tzimmis, the traditional sweet and savory carrot dish that often accompanies Jewish holiday meat.

So here are my ingredients, though you don't necessarily need to cook them under meat.  A cup or so of kosher sweet wine will do the trick.

1 can of apricot halves in sweet syrup, 1 can of pineapple chunks in sweet syrup, two large onions,   1lb of baby carrots, 1 cup of wine or juice, 4oz butter, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2/3 cup of whole wheat matzo-meal.

Cook the apricots, pineapple and onions with the wine or juice low and slow at 300 degrees until they are fully stewed, (or place them under your brisket while that is cooking.)

Separately cook the carrots with a sprinkling of the brown sugar for about an hour in a covered baking dish, leaving enough room to add the fruit later.  Assemble the fruit mixture atop the carrots and then mix the rest of the brown sugar, matzo-meal and melted butter in a bowl till it is fully mixed into a pasty texture.  Spread the streusel mix over the fruit and bake covered for another hour at 350 degrees.  Once it's baked through it can sit in warming oven for as long as needed till served.

David Ebony's Top 10 Most Memorable Artworks of 2014 David Ebony, Thursday, December 25, 2014

 

Uzi Parnes, photo installation, "Basra on First Avenue: Jack Smith's Last Apartment," (2014) at 80WSE Gallery.
Photo: Uzi Parnes.

5.) Uzi Parnes, photo installation, "Basra on First Avenue: Jack Smith's Last Apartment," at 80WSE Gallery at New York University," on view in New York, through March 6, 2015.You can't get much more public than this installation by photographer, filmmaker, performance artist, and actor Uzi Parnes. The work is visible from the street, at Broadway and 10th Street, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  There's the sensation of peering into someone's apartment, and that's what Parnes had in mind. A friend of the late avant-garde filmmaker Jack Smith, best known for his sexy and scandalous 1963 landmark Flaming Creatures, Parnes shot these photos in Smith's art and memorabilia-packed apartment the day after he died of complications from AIDS in 1989. The large blow-up images and the way they are installed here convey the crazy exoticism of Smith's intimate surroundings and his unique mind-set. This is better than most of the posthumous exhibitions of Smith's work I've seen.

Basra on First Avenue at night

A few more images from Basra on First Avenue

http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/80wse/broadway_windows/

UZI PARNES

BASRA ON FIRST AVENUE: JACK SMITH’S LAST APARTMENT

On view at 80WSE Gallery’s satellite space at Broadway and 10^th Street

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development is pleased to present BASRA ON FIRST AVENUE: JACK SMITH’S LAST APARTMENT, a site specific installation of photographs by artist Uzi Parnes. The installation will be on view from October 29, 2014 - January 26, 2015 at 80WSE Gallery’s satellite space, a series of five street-level windows located at the corner of Broadway and East 10^th Street. The installation can be viewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Uzi Parnes first met Jack Smith in 1979, soon after beginning to collaborate with him on numerous photo shoots, which both staged and documented Smith’s work, up until his death from AIDS in 1989. Parnes’ dissertation, Pop Performance: Four Seminal Influences, documented and deconstructed Smith’s play I Was a Male Yvonne DeCarlo for the Lucky Landlord Underground. Upon being published in 1988, it quickly became an influential reference for scholarship around Jack Smith’s work. 

The photographs on view were taken by Parnes at Jack Smith’s 21 First Avenue apartment, shortly after Smith’s died. He began in daylight returning later with a film light to complete the shoot. At the time of his death Smith was transforming his home in to the set for a never-lensed  film titled “Sinbad in the Rented World,” a final project that was emblematic of the entirety of his creative practice and philosophical approach, where the boundary between art and daily life was non-existent. In this regard Parnes’s images stand as a remarkable glimpse in to the incomparable environment that Smith lived in: a studio, a home, an artwork, and the site for a future life. 

“When the film is long since over the apartment will be lived in and used with its kitchen in the style of a ruined sambucca, beached in a papyrus swamp and perhaps someone will be gazing at the Bagdadian sink instead of a T.V.  The apartment, the architecture entertains you, it soothes you. It helps you, it civilizes you, it is ‘BASRA’…”  Jack Smith, excerpt from grant application, February 5, 1982.

Uzi Parnes is a New York based filmmaker, curator, and photographer, who has been documenting the performers and architectural ruins of downtown New York City since 1978..Presentations of his work have been shown internationally, most recently in a career survey at The Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art (Berlin, 2012). Parnes was founder and co-director with Ela Troyano of legendary 1980's performance club “Chandelier,” later collaborating with Carmelita Tropicana as co-writer and director for four of her performances, including Memories of the Revolution 1986-87. From 2003 to 2005, he ran the Uzi N.Y. Gallery, in the East Village.  He has a Ph.D. in Performance Studies & M.A. in Drama from New York University.

BASRA ON FIRST AVENUE: Jack Smith's Last Apartment, through January 26, 2014

Now that the scaffolding at Broadway Windows at the N.E. corner of East 10 Street and Broadway has come down you can really see my installation of legendary artist Jack Smith's amazing apartment.