Review: Down the Rabbit Hole with Mehdi-Georges Lahlou

The Merton P. Simpson gallery opened its doors at 6:53pm for its 7pm show--- tireless preparation for what was to come. I followed fellow guests into a small space filled with treasures from all over Africa as well as modern interpretations of traditional art. It was with these aesthetics in mind that the gallery's curator, Alaina Simone, invited French-Moroccan Mehdi-Georges Lahlou to be a featured guest performer last Friday.

The event began with a solemn entrance by Lahlou, his entire body hidden by a burqa, as he introduced himself by casually invading the personal spaces of several audience members. He simultaneously played a tune, reminiscent of a Civil War ditty, on a wind instrument that sounded like a whistle tube toy.

The grand reveal featured Lahlou emerging from his disguise with a Tanoura-inspired whirlwind befitting of an international, queer superhero. We then followed Lahlou ---who also happens to be an tremendous sculptural, visual and multimedia artist--- down the rabbit hole into a world of gender-norm-damning and boundary pushing performance.

Whether or not there is a more specific "message" or direction to his performance work than this must remain in the interpretations of his observer-participants.

Yet when he is propping his feet on eager Westerners who are covering his skin with elementary henna designs, beckoning frightened onlookers with chopped watermelon while swinging a huge knife or thrusting himself into strenuous calisthenics in bright red stilettos while basking in raining couscous Lahlou is a captivating performer--- daring, self-punishing, unexpected.

Catch his solo exhibition "I Do Not Have To Cross The Sea" now through November 19th at the Merton P. Simpson gallery. www.mertonsimpson.com

Photo Credit: Mehdi-Georges Lahlou

To post a comment, you must register and login.