Time-Based Art: First Night Free-For-All at The Works

Friday, 10 September 2010 11:53 | Written by Byron

Holcombe Waller and friend at The Works at Washington High School

WORKING THE WORKS: The Portland Institute of Contemporary Art's Time-Based Art Festival is upon us.

And even though it's only just begun, I've already screwed up. I missed the once-in-a-lifetime Rufus Wainwright show with The Oregon Symphony at the Schnitz. And yes, I will kick myself for the rest of my life.

That said, I did stay up late enough on Thursday night to make it to Southeast Stark's Washington High School; that's the site for TBA's The Works and the heart of the festival for the next two weeks.

Thursday was the first night of "stuff" at The Works. And it was also free. That meant everyone was there. Well, all the beautiful kids that work at super creative ad agencies who also work at food carts or coffee shops or whatever other place of employment that keeps Portland so friggin' weird..and cute.

I did my best to hang with the cool kids, and even had a chance to catch a bit of the Japanther show, and I could probably spend the next five minutes talking about how TBA seems to wake up the sleeping giant that is this city, and for a few days, makes it feel like Portland is on the cusp of something great.

But, I'd rather just say, I had a really good time.

And I loved that the smell of a wood-burning taco shack wafted over the site.

You can catch me at TBA for the next few days. I'll be the one drooling over Storm Tharp's installation of really cool women—and all those beautiful guys hanging out in the beer garden.

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