FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Son to Hug Father for 24 Hours on Father’s Day

Brian Feldman, award-winning Orlando-based conceptual artist, to re-perform another artist’s work for the first time; will embrace his father for 24 hours this Father’s Day

ORLANDO, FL (June 13, 2011) -- This Father’s Day, acclaimed conceptual artist Brian Feldman, who recently completed his final Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival performances until 2041, will embrace his father for 24 hours in a project inspired by artist Young Sun Han.

In the original “24 Hour Embrace,” Young Sun Han selected a stranger found through a Craigslist ad, whom he embraced for 24 hours straight at Swimming Pool Project Space in Chicago, Illinois on December 31, 2008. Brian Feldman plans to embrace his own father in a memorable piece for all fathers and sons on Sunday, June 19, 2011 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM.

“It is meant to be both a healing and transformative experience,” said Brian Feldman. “How often does one have the opportunity to embrace their own father for this period of time? It will likely be the hardest project I have done to date.”

Brian Feldman plans to complete this piece in the unique setting of the boxing ring at Orange Ave Gym in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village District (1616 N. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32804), where volunteers will greet and admit spectators and provide support for the father and son duo. Spectators are welcome to enter the ring and embrace a loved one after the 12th hour of the project (after 12:00 PM on Father’s Day).

“24 Hour Embrace (after Young Sun Han)” marks the first time that Young Sun Han has granted permission to re-perform this piece, as well as the first time that Brian Feldman has re-performed another artist’s work. According to the artist, he was pleased to grant permission for the re-performance given Brian Feldman’s “consistent approach and dedication to time-based/endurance/social performance.”

“I hope our work inspires others to create their own unexpected and spontaneous happenings,” said Young Sun Han.

Cost to attend the event is $10 for an all-day limited-edition “24 Hour Embrace (after Young Sun Han)” wristband. Limited vehicle parking is free in the lot surrounding Orange Ave Gym and free and available along N. Orange Ave.

Brian Feldman is still seeking volunteers for the project. If interested, find descriptions and available shifts at http://j.mp/24hEmbrace_volunteer.

About Brian Feldman Projects

Brian Feldman is an award-winning conceptual artist. The recipient of the 2011 State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship, he is best known for leaping off of a ladder 366 times over 24 hours (“Leap Year Day”) and eating dinner on stage with his real life family over 40 times (“The Feldman Dynamic”), in addition to over 100 other projects he has presented through Brian Feldman Projects, Florida’s premiere presenter of experimental time-based art since August 2003. http://j.mp/bfp_fb (Facebook) http://twitter.com/BrianFeldman (@BrianFeldman on Twitter)

Images

• http://brianfeldman.com/images/24hEmbrace-800px.jpg

“24 Hour Embrace (after Young Sun Han)” poster. Design: Edward Alan Feldman.

• http://brianfeldman.com/images/24hEmbrace-5x8in-300ppi.jpg

Brian Feldman and Edward Alan Feldman in “24 Hour Embrace (after Young Sun Han).” Photo: Tisse Mallon.

Links

http://j.mp/24hEmbrace_fb (Facebook Event)

http://j.mp/24hEmbrace_docs (Media Release)

When tweeting about this event, please use hashtags #24hEmbrace #FathersDay

http://j.mp/oag_map (Google Maps)

http://orangeavegym.com (Orange Ave Gym Website)

http://twitter.com/orangeavegym (@orangeavegym on Twitter)

http://foursquare.com/venue/20526533 (Orange Ave Gym on foursquare)

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Media Contact / Interview Requests:

Sultana F. Ali, APR, (407) 719-7060, sali@masseycommunications.com, @globalsultana