Selfie Society: JCTC's Vanity Series Examines Contemporary Narcissism

Once a vice, now a virtue, we live in a new era of Vanity, born at the crossroads of technology, narcissism, and celebrity.

This unique historical moment when the private is public and the political personal is the subject of the new series presented by Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) at Merseles Studios, 339 Newark Avenue, Jersey City.

From September 16 to November 11, Jersey City Theater Center explores Vanity, a series that features 16 events, including a visual art exhibition, new play readings, film, a full-theater production, dance, performance art and The Box, a variety show like evening that concludes the series. Vanity not only is one of the most extensive JCTC series to date - showcasing dozens of artists - but perhaps its most topical.

In a few short years, Social Media and what some call selfie-culture has rapidly spread from internet novelty to an essential part of the daily lives of nearly everyone - well everyone with a computer and/or smart-phone. At the same time, as exemplified by the presidential election, the public sphere seems dominated by debates not about issues and policies, but personality politics. Our culture has never been so obsessed with self, making Vanity a timely subject for JCTC to investigate.

"We use to judge others by the fruits of their labor, but now it seems who you are and what you do are only as valuable as the amount of likes your picture gets on Facebook," said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. "Why does everybody on Facebook seem to act like they're celebrities? What does fame really mean these days? Even the presidential election seems more like a reality show about which candidate is more popular, and not about the issues and problems facing the world."

JCTC was far from alone in pondering why the self has become so dominant in today's culture. JCTC received dozens of proposals for Vanity from artists, performers and writers representing an array of disciplines, culminating in a dynamic, thought-provoking and wide-ranging series.

"It was surprising how many different artists were working on Vanity related pieces," said Levina. "Our collaborations keep growing in number, and we continually find new artists and companies to partner with. Artists and performers know that the audiences who come to Jersey City are open-minded, they are eager to go along with them on their creative journey of discovery."

Vanity begins with the Vanity Art Show opening, an exhibition in the art gallery at Merseles Studios curated by Lucy Rovetto, Visual Arts Coordinator, JCTC. The Vanity shows features 20 artists working in several different mediums. "Everything about our lives now seems on display in some form of media," said Rovetto. "There's no longer much difference between our private self and public persona. Are we losing ourselves in what only looks like reality? Vanity in the truest sense of the word is all about the image, so maybe it make sense that this theme inspired visual artists, regardless of their medium."

Vanity's Art Show/Gallery Opening at Merseles Studios features the exhibition and artist reception, performances, video & multimedia projections and previews of upcoming Vanity events. (Doors Open: 6:00pm/Talk-Back & Performances: 8:00pm).

Visual Artists in Vanity Art Show: Luis Alves, Catalina Aranguren, Miguel Cardenas, Willie Cole, D.J. Flores, Frank Ippolito, Yelena Lezhen, Fermin Mendoza, Kristianne Molina, Bruno Nadalin, Nupur Nishith, Christy O'Connor, Shannon Rednour, Ka-son Reeves, Myssi Robinson, Theda Sandiford, Giovani Santoro, Athena Toledo, Susan Ward, Anthony Wills Jr. and Mediha Ayub.

The Thumbs Up Project by Myssi Robinson, an interactive, multimedia installation that combines visual art, performance and living sculpture, will also be featured at the Vanity Art Show Opening.

Identity was also made possible through the generosity of Ben LoPiccolo Development Group, JCTC's Board of Directors, private donors and local Jersey City businesses.

Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (JCTC) manages programming at Merseles Studios and the adjacent White Eagle Hall, currently under construction. JCTC is a nonprofit, 501c3 arts organization committed to presenting innovative and progressive performing & visual arts as well as educational arts programs that embrace the multicultural identity and preserve the rich history of Jersey City, bringing its community closer together and enhancing its quality of life. > jctcenter.org

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