dead flowers exhibition | The Timothy Carey Experience

I think I can state without fear of contradiction that this is the most unusual tribute to Timothy you will ever see. The Dead Flowers exhibit at PARTICIPANT INC several years ago used Tim’s work as a springboard for several performance pieces and other artwork exploring the iconoclastic creative spirit. One of the most memorable of these was Marti Domination in a gold lamé gown reminiscent of Tim’s outfit from The World’s Greatest Sinner. She and guitarist Paul Twinkle comprise the band Beaut, and they presented this piece at the show.

Well – there you have it, folks. I don’t know much about performance art, but I know what I like. And I like this. Enjoy! And don’t forget to add the Dead Flowers book to your collection if you have not already done so.

Previously unbeknownst to us, Romeo Carey, upon his first visit to the [Dead Flowers] exhibition in Philadelphia, revealed the origin of one of Timothy Carey’s signature “dances,” first devised for the camera in Bayou (1957, directed by Harold Daniels, re-released in 1961 as Poor White Trash), and revisited in other noteworthy Carey performances such as Beach Blanket Bingo (1965, William Asher) and The World’s Greatest Sinner. Arriving in New Orleans to shoot Poor White Trash, Carey apparently asked a cab driver for a recommendation as to where he might learn a distinctive Cajun dance. He was promptly driven to Leon Prima‘s 500 Club on Bourbon Street, where he witnessed The Cat Girl [Lilly Christine], considered the most publicized Burlesque performer of her time, and rendered the experience into one of his most characteristically eccentric performances.