This performance is the fourth installation in the Incorruptible Flesh series.

Messianic Remains continues Athey’s exploration of the continuation of his own post-AIDS body. Previous installments were done in collaboration with the late Lawrence Steger, who died of AIDS during the midlate 1990s, and in the new millennium with London-based artist Dominic Johnson. Between 1996 and 2007, performances took place in Glasgow, Chelsea Theatre in London, and at the funerals of Leigh Bowery in New York and Amsterdam. As in earlier works in the series, Athey rides the grandiose myth of enlightenment that only the face of death may reveal.

Ron Athey is an iconic figure in the development of contemporary art and performance. In his frequently bloody portrayals of life, death, crisis,and fortitude in the time of AIDS, Athey calls into question the limits of artistic practice. These limitsenable Athey to explore key themes including: gender; sexuality; SM & radical sex; queer activism; post-punk & industrial culture; tattooing & body modification; ritual; and religion.

Supported by Arts Council England

Performers: Sage Charles, Maria Sideri
Choreography: Maria Sideri
Sound: Jose Macabra
Costumes: Rachel Friere and Alexandra Groover
Make-up and Prosthetics: Hermes Pittakos
Thanks to: ] performance space[, Manuel Vason, Lisa Newman, Andrew Mitchelson, LADA