Karen Finley, who last appeared at the Yale Rep in 1992, "likes to jump-start consciousness," according to Ms. Magazine, which once named her "Woman of the Year."

Performance artist Karen Finley will present her
newest work, 'Shut Up and Love Me,' at the Rep

Karen Finley, who has been called "the grand dame of performance artists," will return to the Yale Repertory Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 22, to open its season 2000 Special Events Series with her newest work, "Shut Up and Love Me." Her show will begin at 8 p.m. in the Yale Rep, corner of York and Chapel streets. In the one-woman show, Finley explores the exploitative and darker elements of sexuality as she performs an awkward striptease to a disco beat, portrays a woman whose failed romances closely mimic her relationship with her father, and, as a finale, bronzes herself in six jars of honey she has poured on a mat. According to Ms. Magazine, "Ms. Finley's art rips big, unspoken and difficult-to-articulate secrets out of closets. She has smeared herself with chocolate and canned yams, has wielded her body like an instrument of terror and power. She likes to jump-start consciousness -- whatever snakes up in an individual -- rather than prescribe particular responses. ... Finley dismantles borders separating grief and celebration." Finley last appeared at the Yale Rep in 1992 in "We Keep Our Victims Ready." In 1990, that show was one of the four works to be selected by U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) as "obscene," igniting a controversy about National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding. For the last nine years, Finley has battled the government as a member of the "NEA Four." In 1998, the group lost its Supreme Court battle to remove limits for federal funding for art based on content. Finley has been named Woman of the Year by Ms. magazine and "the artist of the 1990s" by the Coagula Arts Journal. She has been a regular on television programs such as "The Dennis Miller Show" and "Politically Incorrect" with Bill Maher. Her film roles include her portrayal of Tom Hanks' doctor in "Philadelphia." The performance artist has had numerous art exhibitions, including "Memento Mori," a requiem for AIDS victims, at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. In 1997, she operated her own $2.95-per-minute 900 number to increase artists' awareness of generating projects to fund themselves, independent of commercial galleries and government grants. In 1999 she published a limited edition art book reinterpreting the visual imagery and "sexual politics" of "Winnie the Pooh." Tickets for "Shut Up and Love Me" range from $12 to $25. To purchase tickets, call the Yale Rep box office at (203) 432-1234; the box office is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and until show time on performance days. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Paul Rand Center to honor celebrated graphic designer U.S. embargo causing health crisis in Cuba, says physician University extends Homebuyer Program Exhibit features new works by Jasper Johns Dean announces plans to retire Yale's early preparation for Y2K resulted in smooth transition Memorial service is scheduled for C. Vann Woodward Paul Sigler, a pioneer in the field of structural biology, dies Paul Rand's widow donates artist's personal papers to Yale Peabody Museum's 'Martian Perspectives' exhibit offers 3-D views of the 'Red Planet' Yale Opera to perform romantic classic 'La bohème' British Art Center joining global celebration of legacy of artist and critic John Ruskin The light of Elie Lascaux shines in JE exhibit of his works Science Park firm to distribute byproducts of Yale research Religious values integral to politics, says Ralph Reed says Art by and about Asian women featured in gallery's display Center showcases 20th-century art Performance artist Karen Finley will present her newest work at the Rep Chinese artist's paintings capture 'The Allure of Tibet' Noted journalist to talk about government as Poynter Fellow Leading architects to teach and talk at Yale this spring Library exhibit features work of noted German woodcut artist, illustrator Memorial concert features award-winning duo Yale Scoreboard Lamb to lead Bulldogs field hockey team 'to the next level' Employees invited to basketball games Kennedy to discuss 'Global Century' series Victoria Nolan is honored for her guidance in the arts Daniel Rosner honored for research on aerosols . . . In the News . . . Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page