TBA: Time-Based Art Festival Goes Beyond the Basics

September is just around the corner which usually signals back to school time for many in the Pac Northwest. But for nine years running, the Portland Institute for Contemporary Arts has been doing its own schooling in September - going beyond the basic reading, writing and arithmetic - with its annual Time-Based Art Festival (TBA).

With more than 50 performances, installations and workshops spread out over 11 days (Sept 8-18), TBA brings artists of various disciplines from across the country and around the globe to set up shop and bring the best of contemporary and visual art to this region.

But even with its national and international reach there is still plenty of talent from this area that shares in the TBA spotlight. One of Seattle's favorite artists groups, zoe|juniper, will be making the trip down I-5 to perform their latest work, A Crack in Everything. Visual artist Juniper Shuey and Choreographer Zoe Scofield first hooked up in 2005 at On the Boards’ NW New Works Festival and have been creating and performing works that ricochet between dance performances and visual installations ever since.

In the marathon of all marathons category, storyteller and one-time Seattle resident Mike Daisey will perform a live 24-hour monologue aptly titled All the Hours of the Day. The performance comes with built in meal breaks for the audience - but you’ll have to schedule a catnap on your own.

If you’re looking for a little glitter with your art then Taylor Mac has you covered. Part drag, part performance art, Taylor promises a concert unlike any other in his newest work Comparison Is Violence or The Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook.

And if you have ever wondered what type of full-fledged dance performance could take place on a ridiculously small 4’ x 4’ stage then you’ll want to catch audience favorite Ten Tiny Dances during its run at TBA. This year Ten Tiny Dances, who have also brought their tiny moves to Velocity Dance Center in Seattle, will mark its 25th performance at TBA with some of their ‘can’t miss’ hits from the past nine years.

The list of performers, exhibits and happenings are endless…well almost. The Time-Based Art Festival kicks off with a free Opening Night Reception on September 8 and wraps on September 18 with a Closing Night Dinner. It’s your chance to celebrate with artists and friends and to revel in the past 10 days that was TBA.

Tickets to TBA can be had online at www.pica.org or you can call 503-224-7422. If you happen to be in the Portland area drop by TBA’s Box Office at Washington High School Tue-Fri, 12-6pm.

And if you are making the trip down from Seattle don’t forget your driver’s license. Flash your out-of-state ID at the box office when buying a TBA Pass and you can expect to score a ‘north-of-the-border’ friend discount.

Visit Time-Based Art Festival for a full list of performers, venues and additional TBA info.