Machine Project recently celebrated the holidays in that time-honored Machine way by submerging food in boiling oil and frying till, laced with artery-clogging cholesterol. This year’s “Fry B-Q” was expanded with the addition of the “Freeze-B-Q” where liquid nitrogen was poured over things such as blended fruit. The nitrogen froze them instantly, resulting in frozen delicacies such as marshmallow pops and ice cream shots.

2009 was a year of firsts for Machine as it continued to evolve.  Due to its popularity, for the first time, they decided to limit the event to members only (Machine’s membership, however, starts at a paltry five dollars.).

Another first was the “Freeze-B-Q,” introduced at Machine’s 4th of July celebrations. Two familiar faces manned the “freeze” table, Jeff and Cindy. And if you’ve been to previous Machine events, you probably remember them serving up everything from noodles to pancakes (The duo’s first event was the opening of the Forest installation built inside Machine’s Echo Park location.).

Mark Allen mans the table at the first Freeze-B-Q in July 2009.

Christy and Sara who were responsible for the Forest installation were also responsible for the ornamental archway under which an electric guitarist sounded out the hour during “Machine’s take over of LACMA“ in 2008. In 2009 a book about the historic event was released. For those who could not afford the hard copy, a free down-loadable PDF file was offered. As far as I know, this was the first time Machine has had a book published about their happenings.

 The Forest, by Christy McCaffrey and Sara Newey.

The Machine/ LACMA relationship continued thorough out the year of 2009 with several long time artists doing stints at the museum. From Robin Sukhadia, who did a talk on the history of Bollywood film scores (Machine’s first resident artist) to Emily Lacey, who is currently doing residency which continues through January 31st. Emily opened with her residency with the piece, Temples of the Mind, on the same day that the Machine book launch was held atop the historic LACMA West building (formerly Macy’s department store). Temples of Mind was performed in LACMA’s Japanese Pavilion, and consisted of wholly improvised sounds that were strung together to create a haunting effect.

Pictures from Machine’s takeover of LACMA in 2008. (Photos courtesy of Machine Project)

Emily Lacey performs Temple of the Mind. Photo by Marianne Williams.

Perhaps the biggest first was the “Machine Project Benefit” that took place at Coco’s Variety Store. The event echoed the LACMA event in that it compressed a few months worth of projects into one day (or a few hours in the case of the Benefit). Guests got to try their hand at stealing laser-protected art, wager on slime mold races, pan for gold, make smores, get fake Getty Museum IDs, and other Machine wackiness.

Pictures from Machine Project’s Benefit, 2009. (Photos courtesy of Machine Project.)

The year-end “Fry-B-Q” was a fitting end to an eventful year. While four fryers were busy frying up whatever people brought in (such as chocolate covered bacon), Jeff and Cindy were mixing-up ice cream shots.  They started with lots of Bourbon, milk, chocolate syrup and bananas. Then poured on the magic liquid nitrogen and…Voila!  We had spiked ice cream! Serve in shot-sized cups and it is guaranteed to turn your mild-mannered “Fry-B-Q” into a major dance party. Fueled by ice cream shots and beer brewed specifically for Machine Project, the event end time came and went and even though the nitrogen had run out and the Freeze-B-Q table had closed up shop (which meant no more ice-cream shots) people weren’t leaving.

Pictures from the 2009, Fry-B-Q. (Photos courtesy of Machine Project.)

The fryers became the scene of liquid fat based experiments. What do you think would happen if we fried an egg? It’ll explode – go for it!

And what does the New Year hold for Machine? 2009 showed a marked increase in projects and events a trend which no doubt will continue in 2010. Collaboration with other art institutions around town continues unabated with this year seeing the addition of the Hammer museum in Westwood (or as Mark Allen, founder of Machine Project, likes to call it – Machine West) to the list.  

As Mark, stated in his interview in the New York Times, “…It’s like we have this home theater that produces plays there, but we are also developing this ability to take shows on the road.” In this tough economic climate, collaboration seems to be in everyone’s interest. And as art institutions come together, helping each other survive, they in the process end up adding new and interesting dimensions to themselves. So far, the huge Fungi Fest has been the first of Machine’s projects at the Hammer with Mark also being a part of a workshop at the Hammer on developing your own art space which takes place this Saturday.

And after that…it remains to be seen what’s in store.

via Sunil Rampersad, 28 January 2010 9:35am | |