The Times Square Show

 “In 1980, Colab produced one of the greatest exhibitions I have ever seen: “The Times Square Show.” Hilton Als, The New Yorker, January 2, 2023

 The Times Square Show (1980) was a ground-breaking, self-curated exhibition by the New York artists' group Colab (Collaborative Projects, Inc). Held in a former massage parlor in Times Square, it was open 24/7 for thirty days. As a Colab member, I built a human-sized  nest in a small, secluded room on the third floor, weaving it from materials found on site, much of it debris from the local sex industry.

A red velvet curtain I found in the building concealed the nest, inviting only the boldest visitors. One evening, several women entered the nest, undressing and adorning themselves with wigs and other elements of the nest.  They stayed for hours, interacting with each other and the crowd at the entrance. I managed a few photos of this spontaneous moment before they disappeared, never to be seen again.