DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF LADY LUCK - A CHANCE PERFORMANCE -- MARCH 2, 1975

DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF LADY LUCK - A CHANCE PERFORMANCE
MARCH 2, 1975
CIRCUS CIRCUS CASINO, LAS VEGAS NEVADA
12 HOURS

The Performance

An actress was cast to play Lady Luck. This same actress was also cast in wax.

The wax effigy and the live actress were both given $1500.00 with which to play roulette. The actress bet on intuition and lost all but $40.00. The sculpture bet via random pre recorded numbers and accrued $1640.00.

Forms of Documentation: video, television commercial, photographs, catalogue.

Excepts from the catalogue

LAS VEGAS. Where excess is in excess. Las Vegas. Dreams tarnish in the afternoon sun. Las Vegas. Mecca of winged promises that flit slightly out of reach, never out of sight. Las Vegas looms timeless. There are no clocks or windows. Air sticks to your throat like a web of wire net. Tinsel catches in your teeth. Neon signs advance and retreat against the night , pulsating in a disturbing after image like an electronic vibrator plunged in your brain. Las Vegas beats you, pounds you, like a never ending drum roll. Wacky and insulting, Las Vegas invades your soul.

I went to Las Vegas in search of Lady Luck. Like the Minoans who made idols to their goddesses, I too intended to exploit the physical image of this 20th Century Diety. A cross between Tinkerbell and Glenda, the good witch of the East, Lady Luck is THE American Myth. Within two hours I found her. She was working in a bicycle act at Circus Circus Casino.

In the piece about doubles and change, I found that my "would be " Lady Luck was married to Charles Charles (known internationally for his skill at riding the world's smalest bicycle) and worked at Circus Circus. Mel Larson, the swarthy Director of the casino arranged the details. Mel arranged for me to stay overnight in the hotel. The rooms were a marvelous blend of original kitsch, authentic bad taste,and genuine pretension. The furry zebra striped bedspread had a texture that matched the red flocking on the wallpaper. The gold leafed headboard made out of balsa wood held polyester velvet drapings. The actor James Garner was in town and we all went out that evening. Over lobster and red wine we negotiated our positions. Compromise is essential in these types of activities. Normally photographs and videos were forbidden in casinos because the identity of patrons is protected. to complete a vision. This "ritual"proved the exception.

Lisa's transformation began with a television commercial produced on the spot for ABC where she enticed an anonymous mass audience to watch her. Dressing Lisa and her sculpted double in identical aqua angora costumes, intensifying their mirror like reflection. Lisa applied cosmetics to herself as well as the robotic double.Sixteen art patrons from San Francsico flew to Las Vegas to share in this experience.