BLACK Sphinx

The Sphinx awaits! Come sit with Stephonne in an immersive 7-day performance as the Oracle of the Void at Vulpes Bastille, 10/26-11/1! Fearless singer-songwriter, Stephonne, boldly sashays into avant-garde performance art with BLACK Sphinx from October 26th-November 1st. A dreamed art installation will hold Stephonne inside of the Vulpes Bastille (1737 Locust St, KCMO 64108) for the run’s entirety. Beginning a 7 day fast and vow of silence on the eve of the opening, the ambitious artist will take on the role of “Oracle of the Void”. Black Sphinx is influenced by visual and performance art movements since 1940. It has inspirational foundations from pioneers like Joseph Beuys, Yves Klein, Marina Abramović, Walter De Maria, Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns. A hanging “black hole” will split the space of the artist’s 7-day home, a ritual circle. One half of the circle will be for rest. The other will welcome sitters in through it’s only opening to a table and chairs. Sitters will ring a bell to begin a 7 minute session. 3 options are available to sitters represented by 3 tarot cards: Solitude (complete silence); Reconciliation (a sitter can confess anything, without any response, verbally or through written letter); Communion (questions can be asked, answered with yes, no, and maybe written on paper). Sitting with visitors is on a first-come, first-serve basis 1PM-8PM that Monday-Saturday. They’ll be ushered by attendants who'll enforce a set of rules and ensure the artist’s safety. Although free to the public, visitors are encouraged to make a suggested $5+ donation and/or to bring offerings of things they want to “release into the void”. Those offerings can be personal belongings, written letters, works of art or just the presence of the sitter. The artist will leave the installation and take it down on November 1st. A closing "Welcome back to Earth" celebration where the public are invited to come ask questions, bring offerings, and help with strike is set for that day (11/1) at 11AM. RULES: No physical contact beyond hand holding and hugs (at the discretion of Stephonne) is allowed. Sitters choose to reveal their names or can choose anonymity. Verbal abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Sittings are 7 min per sitter. (Timer will be set). Sitters can come back, but must respect those waiting in line by coming another day/time or getting back in line. NO WEAPONS. Guests must remain outside of the installation and can only enter through the single opening. Sitters must exit the same way they entered and cannot at anytime go beyond the table. Offerings cannot be food or drink until 11/1. Offerings cannot be or contain bodily fluids of any kind. Any attempt to disrupt/destroy the performance or endanger the performer or safety of the space IN ANY WAY will result in immediate removal up to the possibility of law enforcement. Such actions or attempts will not be tolerated. Want to ask the Sphinx a question outside of a sitting?! Text the secret password, SPHINX, to 1-888-876-5319! You'll be prompted to ask your question after texting and receive a yes, maybe, or no. ASK WISELY!