The art of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge at Western Exhibitions

Genesis P-Orridge dedicated his/her life to art - one form or another.

Beginning during the late sixties, he/she fronted any number of musical endeavors - Psychic TV to Throbbing Gristle. It was with Alternative TV, though, that P-Orridge turned in his/her most digestible combination of pop and what would become industrial music. "More Porridge," from the 1977 Industrial Sessions with ATV is a single note spun out for several minutes. There were certainly other groups working a noisome terrain by that late date, but this particular song possessed an odd swing which could have only come from an amalgam of punk aesthetes, reggae fans and those who appreciate noise for the sake of noise.

During the same time P-Orridge was endeavoring to freak out music fans, his/her visual artwork attempted the same feat.

Continual efforts to confound eventually led P-Orridge to undergo a series of surgeries erasing his/her gender and resulted in aping the physical appearance of his wife, Lady Jaye (aka Jacqueline Breyer). The pair decided there had ceased to be any difference between the two and now both work and are known as Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.

Displayed at Western Exhibitions (Saturday 11.00AM to 6.00PM), Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Daniel Albrigo: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is…A LOVE STORY is current work from the show's namesakes, with the latter's contributions focusing on transformative acts of the married couple. Teeth are prominently featured, but all of this, ranging from paintings to wall-mounted masks, should be seen in person to make any kind of sense. It's worth a look, especially if you're in need of something to do this weekend that has nothing to do with hot dogs. The forthcoming (proper) TOC review should help. Look for that next week.

Hit the jump to hear "Love Lies Limp" off Alternative TV's second single dating from 1977...P-Orridge doesn't appear on the track, but it's worth a listen nonetheless...