Theatrical rock ensemble Squonk returns for the grand opening of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Arts Landing during the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. Their upcoming show, titled “Joy Machine,” will run from June 5 to 7, and will feature immersive sculptures, whimsical instruments and dynamic machines.
First started more than 30 years ago by co-founders composer Jackie Dempsey and artist Steve O’Hearn, Squonk’s first performance took place at the former Oakland venue Graffiti under their metal alter-ego of Megasquonk, and since then, they have toured across the world, played on three continents and in 36 states of the United States. They work with an ensemble of 10-20 artists to create post-industrial performances and transform public parks and spaces into stages for collective wonder and excitement.
Squonk, whose performances are always free and open to all, has always prioritized accessibility and transformation. They push the bounds of what it means to be an audience member, and encourage theirs to not sit passively, but instead to jump in and become a part of the show.
The audience is invited to play the large sculpture-like instruments — pull ropes, yank levers — placing an emphasis on the enjoyment and engagement of others with their art.
In this performance, the audience members will be called on stage to create a drum wall and to paddle giant wings attached to a large sculpture.
“Someoftheeffortthatwemadeinthedesigningoftheshow,” O’Hearn said, “wastohavethepeopleparticipatingbeabletolookbacktothehouse,totherestoftheaudience,andwaveorsmileattheirfriends,andbeencouragedbytheirfriendsandfamilyinthehouse,sothere’sinteraction.Itcreatesarealelectricitybetweenstageandaudiencewhenthere’ssomeofthemoutthere, andthat’stheimportantpartofthis.”
The art is often described as being reminiscent of Dadaist or other modernist works. Their interactive instruments are often made from a combination of industrial features and papier-mache body parts, all cast in bright, contrasting colors. The parts may move in conjunction or separately, but together, they create a highly motivated, slightly disorienting piece of art.
“I’d say that our aesthetic is kind of shaped by Pittsburgh. It has none of the pretense of coastal elite culture. It’s joyful the way fireworks are or a community parade. We’ve got that connection,” O’Hearn said.