Political Performance Art

Historically, cage fighters and exotic dancers have provided Election Day counterprogramming, diverting the politically apathetic from exit polls and projections. David Ford has enlisted more than a dozen representatives of these disciplines, along with hip-hop artist Tommy Lift, for a performance he calls I Love This Country, tonight from 7:30 to 10 at the Mercy Seat Gallery (210 East 16th Street, 816-421-4833). I Love This Country doesn’t compete with the electoral pageantry as much as complement it. The show aims to illustrate the incongruous amount of attention paid to aesthetic distractions rather than real cultural content. He invites viewers to enjoy the entertainment while appreciating the gravity of the electoral results. Many people spend election night in front of televisions: It might be refreshing to watch the change in leadership unfurl outside a living room. Besides, if recent elections offer any indication, nothing will be definitively settled by 10 p.m. anyway. Admission is free.

Tue., Nov. 4, 2008