“The initial idea for the work was sparked in 2012, after reading a Mark Twain essay bemoaning a mistranslation of his first successful short story: 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'. Ten years and one pandemic later, the piece has evolved to include singing and dancing, projected slides, and historical film footage, plus an eclectic cast of characters including an astronaut, a geisha, and a game show host. Oh, and a bucket of frogs.”
- Andy Russ
- Andy Russ
ABOUT THE SHOW
a note from the program by Andy Russ
What is The Floating World?
Though not the original seed for the creation of this piece,* once adopted, the title “The Floating World” provided to me a rich source of ongoing research, connection, and imagination.
I first came across the term in the context of studying Japanese history and art. Ukiyo (浮世, "floating/fleeting/transient world") originates in the Edo period (1600-1867) Japan, and is used to describe the escapist urban lifestyle and aspirational culture of geisha performers, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, samurai warriors, and oiran courtesans. The word can also be heard as an ironic allusion to the similarly sounding Buddhist term ukiyo (憂き世), referring to the mundane earthly plane of death and rebirth from which release was sought.
“The Floating World” also connects to the hyperbolic stories of Mark Twain, often centered around riverboats and makeshift rafts, adventuring up and down the mighty Mississippi River. Interestingly, Twain’s first publicly successful piece of writing “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was published in 1865, as Japan was transitioning out of the Edo period.
“The Floating World” of course conjures up sensations of buoyancy and weightlessness, which leads straight to thoughts of zero gravity, outer space, and infinity. And beyond.
“The Floating World” = Frogs (duh)
And finally, and perhaps most specifically related to my practice of making, “The Floating World” evokes that elusive space that exists between a symbol (word, image, or gesture) and the receiver/perceiver of that symbol. This is the fertile realm where meaning grows and dies, intentions are realized or frustrated, and connections are made or broken. It therefore can also be a place of experimentation - a semantic test kitchen in which to try out new combinations of colors, textures and flavors. A side of cognitive dissonance with your interdisciplinary order? Coming right up!
For me, “The Floating World” is many things; but primarily it is a place of play; and I am excited to share it with you.
-
* The true origin story began with the discovery of a Mark Twain essay, contained here.
Though not the original seed for the creation of this piece,* once adopted, the title “The Floating World” provided to me a rich source of ongoing research, connection, and imagination.
I first came across the term in the context of studying Japanese history and art. Ukiyo (浮世, "floating/fleeting/transient world") originates in the Edo period (1600-1867) Japan, and is used to describe the escapist urban lifestyle and aspirational culture of geisha performers, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, samurai warriors, and oiran courtesans. The word can also be heard as an ironic allusion to the similarly sounding Buddhist term ukiyo (憂き世), referring to the mundane earthly plane of death and rebirth from which release was sought.
“The Floating World” also connects to the hyperbolic stories of Mark Twain, often centered around riverboats and makeshift rafts, adventuring up and down the mighty Mississippi River. Interestingly, Twain’s first publicly successful piece of writing “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was published in 1865, as Japan was transitioning out of the Edo period.
“The Floating World” of course conjures up sensations of buoyancy and weightlessness, which leads straight to thoughts of zero gravity, outer space, and infinity. And beyond.
“The Floating World” = Frogs (duh)
And finally, and perhaps most specifically related to my practice of making, “The Floating World” evokes that elusive space that exists between a symbol (word, image, or gesture) and the receiver/perceiver of that symbol. This is the fertile realm where meaning grows and dies, intentions are realized or frustrated, and connections are made or broken. It therefore can also be a place of experimentation - a semantic test kitchen in which to try out new combinations of colors, textures and flavors. A side of cognitive dissonance with your interdisciplinary order? Coming right up!
For me, “The Floating World” is many things; but primarily it is a place of play; and I am excited to share it with you.
-
* The true origin story began with the discovery of a Mark Twain essay, contained here.
ABOUT
THE FLOATING WORLD
BY ANDY RUSS
A smidgeon of Twain, a splash of haiku, and a hint of lunar conspiracy, served up on a bed of mixed metaphor and frogs -The Floating World is the new one man show by Wilbury Resident Artist, Andy Russ. Equal parts pantomime and performance art, the evening presents a series of multimedia meditations on the elusivity of the human experience and the languages with which we try and explain it.
The Floating World is created and performed by Andy Russ, with stage management by Devra Levy, assistant stage management by Melie Hayes, and technical support by Annalee Cavallaro and Max Ponticelli.
The Floating World is created and performed by Andy Russ, with stage management by Devra Levy, assistant stage management by Melie Hayes, and technical support by Annalee Cavallaro and Max Ponticelli.
PLEASE NOTE: Performances of 'The Floating World' are held indoors at the Wilbury Group's performance space. Pursuant to the Wilbury Group's Health and Safety Precautions, all attendees must either show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (at least 14 days have passed since the final dose), or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the prior 72-hours, or proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken in the prior 6-hours. Regardless of vaccination status, all attendees must also wear masks over their nose and mouth at all times while inside the venue.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS:
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Andy Russ; photos by Nikki Lee
Under the name Passive Aggressive Novelty Company (PANoCo), Andy Russ makes performances that move freely between the genres of dance, drama, music and film. His work is driven by a desire for experiment and artistic cross-pollination, creating self-aware theatrical fantasies that challenge the conventions of artistic practice and audience expectation.
Originally from North Carolina, with degrees in Music and Dance from Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio, he spent 10 years in New York City, working as Music Supervisor for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and surfing the downtown performance scene. In 2005, he relocated to Rhode Island to take on the role of Artistic Coordinator for cellist Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, with whom he produced the Grammy nominated album Off the Map. He has created over 80 original music compositions and sound designs for various media, and has recently taken up making short films.
Andy currently lives in Providence, RI, where, in addition to directing PANoCo, he is a Resident Artist at the Wilbury Theatre, Professor of Dance at Roger Williams University, Integrated Art & Music Teacher at the Wolf School, and Co-director of Motion State Arts.
Originally from North Carolina, with degrees in Music and Dance from Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio, he spent 10 years in New York City, working as Music Supervisor for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and surfing the downtown performance scene. In 2005, he relocated to Rhode Island to take on the role of Artistic Coordinator for cellist Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, with whom he produced the Grammy nominated album Off the Map. He has created over 80 original music compositions and sound designs for various media, and has recently taken up making short films.
Andy currently lives in Providence, RI, where, in addition to directing PANoCo, he is a Resident Artist at the Wilbury Theatre, Professor of Dance at Roger Williams University, Integrated Art & Music Teacher at the Wolf School, and Co-director of Motion State Arts.
2021/22 Memberships
Join us at Providence's home for groundbreaking artists and adventurous audiences. Membership includes admission to all our 2021/22 productions, including our upcoming premieres of Lifted by Charlie Thurston and Shey Rivera Ríos' AntigonX, season two of Don Mays' God Talks to an Agnostic, the Tony award-winning musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, and more.
Become a Member for our 2021/22 Season today and never miss a thing.
Become a Member for our 2021/22 Season today and never miss a thing.
ABOUT
An award-winning*, not-for-profit professional theatre company, the Wilbury Theatre Group engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires.
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
