Welcome to Currency 2004, the second edition of the Currency Festival of Contemporary Performance. Performance art is frequently referred to as a time-based practice - that is, the artist is working with time as a material, the way a sculptor would work with marble. This is particularly true of the group of artists assembled for this year's festival. From performances that last six days to projects that span years, time, that intangible element that encompasses our lives, is a central focus for these artists. Many are in their third decade of practice, marking their progress with performances which are created for a specific moment and presented only once. In this way, they truly embody their art, utilizing their physical presence as the means by which they communicate to the viewer. The ephemeral quality of the medium therefore becomes the raison d'etre of the work. Coming from the body, which is simultaneously highly personal and a common point of shared experience, occurring in time, which is both a subjective concept and an impersonal exterior structure, performance art is a celebration of existence itself. Here at chashama, 217 East 42 St., on the evenings of March 18-20, 2004, artists and viewers will join together in a bond that is made from the threads of the moments we share in our lives. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who will be participating. Enjoy.

Dan McKereghan
Festival Director

Participants included Chumpon Apisuk (Thailand), Marilyn Arsem (US), Jeffery Byrd (US), Peter Baren (Netherlands), Adina Bar-on (Israel), Sylvie Cotton (Canada), Peter Grzybowski (US), Alastair MacLennan (UK), Jill McDermid (US), Boris Nieslony (Germany), Andre Stitt (UK), and Lorena Wolffer (Mexico). There was a different program each night. Performances began at 8 PM and admission was free.