REAX Music Magazine Article from the archives

Unripe 2.0
Aubrey Bramble

The summer of 2006 started off with a creative bang for the budding arts collective Avant-Garde in the Now. On June 3, a swarm of curious spectators buzzed about the industrial expanse of Transitions Art Gallery at the Skatepark of Tampa, eyeing the creative spoils set before them. As previously reported in the June edition of Reax, "Unripe" was an ambitious collaboration of photography, live art, music, film, and culture.

On September 30, Transitions will again play host to an Avant-Garde in the Now event, aptly titled "Unripe v2.0." The second public offering from this experimental bande à part looks to further influence and inspire the masses through a riotous buffet of experimental peals, twisted visuals, and subterranean hubbub.

REAX: What does the Tampa Bay Area have to look forward to at "Unripe v2.0?"

Aubrey: In contrast to our inaugural event, "Unripe v2.0" is going to be more specific. This time the emphasis will be on the noisier end of the experimental spectrum, with a barrage of ear-splitting electronic acts, large-scale art installations, and short film presentations. I'm very excited to be moving the individual events into more of a "themed" direction. For our third event, I am already thinking about switching the focus from music and film to performance art, with music taking on more of a supporting role.

REAX: What artists and performers are taking part in this event?

Aubrey: I am really pleased with the caliber of artists we've been able to attract for this show. Our main focus is going to be on the musicians, with NoWhere, Ironing, Uh-Oh Spades, Xingu, and Distraub (a side project of Negative Format's Alex Matheu) taking the stage at various points throughout the evening. The music will be supplemented with innovative art installations from Christopher Kelly, Angus Shafer, and Tony Krol, along with individual works from Jen Moreno and Corie Staub. In between the musical acts, myself and other independent filmmakers in the area will be premiering short films. Be sure to stick around for the end of the event, as we have a little something special planned to wrap things up.

REAX: What is the purpose behind Avant-Garde in the Now?

Aubrey: I basically began Avant-Garde in the Now as an antidote to the cultural "coterie" in the Tampa Bay area. I have a very varied taste in music, art, culture, and I think that a lot of others do as well. So, I decided to work on putting together an evolving roster of artists and events that would seed the local community with a more diverse and eclectic perspective. My main objective is to open peoples' minds, and to give them a different kind of experience than they may be used to.

Unripe v2.0 will occur on Saturday September 30, 2006 at 7:00PM at Transitions Art Gallery at the Skatepark of Tampa. Please visit avant-gardeinthenow.com for more information.