Logic flees Neshat and Deyhim in ‘Logic of the Birds’
by Clea Felien
The recent performance at the Walker of Shirin Neshat’s “Logic of the Birds” makes no sense. Neshat has been the darling of the art world, and rightly so, for many years. Her films and photographs, based mostly on women in the Muslim culture, are provocative, astute and timely. Neshat’s work has always been concise as well as politically and socially relevant. “Logic of the Birds” is her first performance and collaborative effort, and has none of the relevance or strength of her individual work.
In Neshat’s own description of “Logic of the Birds” she explains that the multitude of people dressed in black represent birds who follow a mystical leader, singer Sussan Deyhim, through difficult times only to discover that what they search for is within. What I saw was Sussan Deyhim’s mystical singing and mysterious performance, coupled with a mass of solemn women and men wearing black clothes. These emotionless faces serve more as a passive, plodding mob than a symbolic reference to birds. 
Occasionally throughout the performance there is film footage of fire, a desert landscape, and a lake. In all of these scenarios Sussan Deyhim leads the way, singing and performing in her strangely beautiful way, and she is always followed by the beleaguered, frustrated mob in black. Lots and lots of futile walking.
The scene in the lake verges on trite when Deyhim walks into the water and doesn’t come out. Are we to believe she has drowned in some sort of ritualized suicide? Then why does she come back with the same undeterred singing and pointless walking? 
Sussan Deyhim’s vocal and physical performance is stunning. Shirin Neshat’s film work is as lush and evocative as ever. These two women are phenomenal in their own right. Together they fall flat, and unfortunately they fall together.
The saddest part of the piece is the writing. There does not appear to be a story line. “Logic of the Birds” is loosely based on the 12th century Persian poet Farid Ud-Din Attar’s “The Conference of the Birds.” None of the original story comes across. I chose not to read about the piece before seeing it, and didn’t have a clue as to what was going on as an uninformed viewer during the performance. No work of art should have to be explained in great detail before it is viewed. A story should always be able to stand on its own merit without being spelled out. There were of course beautiful moments when the audience is swept away with the level of intensity and passion of Sussan Deyhim’s phenomenal voice. As always, Shirin Neshat has an exceptional eye in her photography and film, and she achieves moments of pure beauty which are mesmerizing. 
Clearly Sussan Deyhim and Shirin Neshat should be working together. They have such similar and complementary styles. However they need to spend more time fleshing things out. Perhaps because they are both so successful individually, they unfortunately assumed being successful together would be easy.
Shirin Neshat’s photography and video will be on view in Galleries 1, 2 & 3 at the Walker until Sept. 8. Walker Art Center is located at 725 Vineland Place, Mpls. Call 612-375-7622 for more information.
 

 
Art

2ND STORY GALLERY
2800 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-870-1329
Works by Dick Brewer. Bob Brodersen, Nalonzo Hauser, John Hruska, Doug Johnson, Olga Milksic, Polly Norman, Richard Saba, Anna Wagner, and Al Wadinsky. Through July 31.

AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE
2600 Park Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-871-4907 
A Gift from Sweden: 50 Years of Friendship. Through Aug. 25.
101 Dala Horses: The History of a Swedish Legend. Through Aug. 25.

ANCIENT TRADERS GALLERY
1113 Franklin Ave., Mpls., 
612-870-7555 
3 Sisters: Julie Buffalohead, Lisa Fifield & Carol Ann Smith. Through July 13.

BABYLON INTERNATIONAL CAFE & GALLERY
1624 E. Lake St., Mpls., 
612-722-5438
Women Create! A women’s artist collective. Meetings held every other Thursday, 7 p.m. Call for next date.

CIRCA GALLERY
1637 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 
612-332-2386 
Rebecca Crowell: Oil on canvas and panel. Through July 5.

GREENWAY PARADE OF ARTS
Midtown Greenway, Mpls.
Art Cars, parade, jugglers, puppets, music, visual arts, etc. Thu. July 4, 1-6 p.m.

GROVELAND GALLERY
25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls., 
612-377-7800 
Still Lifes. Work by Cindy Koopman, Heidi Schneider & Kit Wilson. Through July 13. Annex.
Ephemeral Presence: Clouds, Rain and Wind. New paintings and drawings by Laura Hampton. Through July 13.

HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM
2303 Third Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-870-1329 
History 101. Ongoing.
Lions and Tigers and Bears: The Story of Fish Jones and Woodlands & Prairies. Ongoing.
The Bicycle Room. Ongoing.
City Kids Gallery. Ongoing.
Fashion Slaves. Ongoing.

INTERMEDIA ARTS
2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-871-4444 
Minneapolis 55408. Through Aug. 18.

HIGHLAND CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING
2638 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-871-1326 
Printshop Cooperative Members Exhibition: False Words. Through Aug. 15.

JEAN STEPHEN GALLERIES
917 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-338-4333
The Art of Dr. Seuss. Lithographs and serigraphs of Dr. Seuss’ most memorable illustrations plus “Secret Art.” Opens July 1. Through July 31.

MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS 
2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-870-3000 
Giacometti Sculpture. Ongoing.
Sumptuous and Sublime: Two Japanese Rooms. Ongoing.
Appreciating China: Gifts from Ruthand Bruce Dayton. Through Nov. 10.

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR BOOK ARTS
1011 Washington Ave. S., Suite 100, Mpls., 612-215-2520 
A Celebration of Book and Lettering Arts. Through July 12.

NASH GALLERY
Lower Concourse of Willey Hall, West Bank U of M, 225 19th Ave. S., Mpls., 612-624-7530 
Deep Flight. Through July 26.

NO NAME EXHIBITIONS @ THE SOAP FACTORY
2nd St. SE & 5th Ave. SE, Mpls., 612-623-9176
4 Exhibitions: Supernatural Satisfaction, The Surrounding Area, Group Photo, & Tradepost 1882/1982. Through July 7.

NORTHERN CLAY CENTER
2424 Franklin Ave., Mpls., 
612-339-8007
2002 Studio Artists Exhibition. Through July 27.
OPENING NIGHT GALLERY
2836 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-872-2325 
Summer Salon Show. Featuring work by Bruce Anderson & Ellen Richman. Reception with Ellen Richman July 26, 5-8 p.m. Through Aug. 31.

PANDORA’S CUP
2516 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls., 612-
Anthony Austin Schrock: The Red Room. A collection of recent work in oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, & chalk. Opens July 1. Reception July 5, 7 p.m. Through July 31.

PARTS GALLERY
711 W. Lake St., Mpls., 
612-824-5500 
Risk/Revisit: The Photography of Gary Hallman. Through July 20. Free.
Beyond the Perimeter. Opens July 27. Through Sept. 8.
Fresh Works. Opens July 27. Through Sept. 8.

POWDERHORN ART FAIR
Powderhorn Park, Mpls., 
612-729-0111 
Over 175 Artists. Sat. Aug. 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sun. Aug. 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

ROTH FINE ARTS
1200 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 
612-338-1138
New Vision: Acrylic, watercolor 
and paintings by James P. Cecko and Frank Schreiber. Ongoing.

SHELLEY HOLZEMER GALLERY
4810 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-824-0640 
The Other End of the River: Paintings by Dot Svendson. Through July 6.

SOO VISUAL ARTS
2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-871-2263 
Untitled 1. Juried exhibtion. Through Aug. 18.

SOVEREIGN GROUNDS
813 E. 48th St. Mpls., 612-825-6157
Walter Kvasnik: Photographs 
from Turkey. Ongoing.

WALKER ART CENTER
Vineland Place, Mpls., 612-375-7622 
Walker on Wheels. In residence at Folwell Park, July 1 – Aug. 2.
One Planet Under A Groove: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art. Opens July 13. Through Oct. 13.
Catherine Opie: Skyways and Icehouses. Through July 21.
Artist-in-Residence: Alan Berliner, “The Language of Names.” Through Aug. 18.
Shirin Neshat. Through Sept. 8.
Free Thursday. Free admission, free film, free performance.
Free First Saturday for Families. First Saturday of each month 
with activities and performances. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WEISMAN ART MUSEUM
333 East River Rd., Mpls., 
612-625-9494 
On the Edge of Your Seat: Popular Theater and Film in Early 20th Century America. Through Aug. 4.
WILCOCK GALLERY
40 S. 7th St., Mpls., 612-333-5505 
Watercolors of the North by Howard Sivertson and oil paintings by Olexa Bulavitsky & Elaine Sievertson. Ongoing.
Rare important seashells, fossils, butterflies, polished stones, and other beautiful gift items from nature. Ongoing.

Theater

BEDLAM STUDIO
514 1/2 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-341-1038 
“All I Have is Half of Nothing and Zero.” OR “Emergency” AND “Gods of the Mountain.” Through July 28.

BRYANT LAKE BOWL
810 W. Lake St., Mpls.,
612-825-8949 
Leslye Orr presents “Women Who Drink.” Thu. 7 p.m. (No shows July 4 & Aug. 1). Through Aug. 29. $14.
“Four on the Floor.” Opens July 5. Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m. Through July 20. $12.
Melissa Birch presents “Red Curtain Cabaret.” Opens July 2. Tue. 9 p.m. Through July 23. $10.
Heather Spear presents “Dykes Do Drag.” Wed. July 17 – Thu. July 18, 9:30 p.m. $12.
The Velvet Elvises. Thu. July 11, 9:30 p.m. $8.
Send Help. Improv comedy. Sat. July 13, 9:30 p.m.
Cinema Lounge. Wed. July 17, 7 p.m. Free.
The Attention Starved Children. Improv comedy. Fri. July 26, 7 p.m. $8.
The Collective and Fingergun present “JOINT #11.” Sat. July 27, 7 p.m. $7.

JUNGLE THEATER
2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-822-7063 
“Orange Flower Water.” Opens July 12. Through Aug. 25. $12-$27.

LORING PLAYHOUSE
1633 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-486-5757 
Scrimshaw Brothers present “Look Ma No Pants!” Ongoing first Fri. & Sat. of each month.
Gaydar Productions presents “This Queer Life.” Thu.-Sun. Through July 28.
Gaydar Productions presents “After Dark.” Through July 28.

MUSIC BOX THEATRE
Nicollet & 14th St., Mpls.,
612-673-0404
“Triple Espresso.” Wed.-Thu.7 :30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. (No show July 4). Through Sept. 1. $29.50 – $34.50.

PILLSBURY HOUSE
3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-825-0459 

(Theater cont..)

PLAYWRIGHTS’ CENTER
2301 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls.

RED EYE THEATRE
14 W. 15th St., Mpls., 612-870-0309
Jerungdu Theater Company presents “Dragon Fist, Hidden Gerbil.” Opens July 6. Through July 27. $10-$15. 

SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
28th & Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-869-5080 
Urban Spectrum Theatre Company presents “Love...Another 4-Letter Word.” Opens July 5. Fri.-Sun. 8:15 p.m. Through July 14. $7.

SOUTHERN THEATER
1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-340-1725 
Experimental Cabaret: Leslie Ball hosts “Balls.” Saturdays at midnight $5.

WALKER COMMUNITY CHURCH
3104 16th Ave. S., Mpls.
River’s Edge Playback Theatre. Every first Friday of the month. 


Workshops, Readings & Lectures

ACADIA CABARET THEATER
1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-874-8800 
Verbose. Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Vibin Open Mic. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.

ANODYNE 
COFFEE HOUSE
43rd & Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-824-4300 
Open mic. Hosted by Matt Harmoning. Wednesdays, 9 p.m.

BABYLON GALLERY
1624 E. Lake St., Mpls., 
612-722-5438
Hyperbole Open Mic. 2nd Wednesday of the month. Hosted by Music Master. Open mic slots 9:30-10 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 

BIRCH BARK BOOKS
2115 W. 21st St., Mpls., 612-374-4023 
Storytime. Children of all ages welcome. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. & Saturdays, 3 p.m.

BORDERS BOOKS @ CALHOUN SQUARE
3001 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 
612-825-0336 
Poet Greg Hewett reads from his 

new book of poetry, Red Suburb. Fri. July 19, 7 p.m.

GAIAN EDUCATION
2910 11th Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-872-0164
Introduction to Gaian Education Lecture. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
Gaian Circle. Dialogue/
discussion. Thursdays, 7 p.m.

KIERAN’S IRISH PUB
330 2nd Ave. S., Mpls.
Op-Ed Slam. Competition and reading. Thu. July 11, 7 p.m. $5.

THE LOFT
Open Book Center, 1011 Washington Ave., Mpls., 
612-215-2575 
Local Motion: Cindra Halm & Alan DeNiro. Thu. July 11, 7 p.m. Free.
Poetry In Motion. Thu. July 18, 10 a.m. Free.
Open Book Club Discussion. The Human Stain by Philip Roth. Mon. July 22, 1 p.m. or Thu. July 25, 5:30 p.m.
Local Motion: Ellen Hart and Jeremy Norton. Wed. July 24, 7 p.m.

MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
2501 Stevens Ave., Mpls., 
612-874-3700 
Lecture by Carolee Schneemann. Thu. July 25, 7–8:30 p.m. Free. Auditorium 109.

PILLSBURY HOUSE
3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-821-5151
Women’s Self-Esteem Support Group. Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m.

TED MANN CONCERT HALL
West Bank U of M, Mpls., 
651-649-4725 
S.N. Goenka speaks about Vipassana Meditation. Fri. July 12, 7 p.m.


Dance & Performance

CHRISTOPHER WATSON DANCE STUDIO
711 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-721-3595 
Contact Improv Dance and Open Jam. All levels. Sundays 11-1 p.m.

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
2507 E. 25th St., Mpls., 612-724-9714 
Modern Dance. Saturdays $4.
Country Jam. Sundays, 3-7 p.m. Free.

PILLSBURY HOUSE THEATRE
3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-825-0459
Guess Who Productions presents “Flayva!!” Ongoing cabaret showcasing the artistic contributions of local queer people of color. Every other month. Call for next date.

RENDEZVOUS BALLROOM
2524 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-872-1562
All ages welcome.Please bring a clean pair of shoes to protect the dance floor from sand, dirt and snow.
Salsa Aerobics. Mon. 8 p.m. $10.
Hip Hop. Sat. 4 p.m. $10.
Ballroom Dance Lessons. Wed. 7:30 p.m. $10/class.
Beginning Salsa & Merengue. Sat. 1 p.m. or Thu. 7 p.m. $10/class.
Intermediate Salsa. Sat. 2 p.m. $10/ class.
Salsa Rueda. Sat. 3 p.m. or Thu. 8 p.m. $10/ or four classes for $30.

SOUTHERN THEATER
1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-340-1725 
Lou Fancher & Emily Johnson. July 12-14.
Shouze Ma, Kats D & Paneer Project. July 19-21.
Deborah Jinza Theayer’s Movement Architecture, Wynn Fricke & Borrowed Bones Dance Theatre. July 26-27.
Cassandra Shore presents “Eclipse of the Moon.” Aug. 1-11.

TAPESTRY FOLKDANCE CENTER
3748 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls., 612-722-2914
Swing Classes. Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $7.
Late Night Swing. Thursdays, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. $4.
International Dancing. Fridays. Teaching 7:30-8:30 p.m. Request Dancing follows 8:30-11:30 p.m. $5.
Swing Dance w/ Live Music. 1st Sat. of month 8:30 p.m. $8.
Contra Dance. 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sat. 7:30 p.m. $7.
Family Folkdance. 2nd Sun. 1:30-3 p.m.
English Country Dancing w/ Live Music. 1st Sun. of the month 6-9 p.m. $5.
English Country Dancing. Sundays 7-9 p.m. $5.

WALKER ART CENTER
Vineland Place, Mpls., 612-375-7622 
Artist-In-Residence: Ralph Lemon. July 8-21.


Music

LORING PARK
Hennepin/Lyndale & Oak Grove St., Mpls., 612-375-7622
WALKER ART CENTER PRESENTS FREE MUSIC & MOVIES.
Music begins at 7 p.m. Film at dusk.
Likehell w/ Double Indemnity. Mon. July 8.
Black-Eyed Snakes w/ One, Two, Three. Mon. July 15.
Super Rail Band w/ Kiss Me, Stupid. Mon. July 22.
Freakwater w/ Sabrina. Mon. July 29.
Heiruspecs w/ Some Like It Hot. Mon. Aug. 5.
Happy Apple w/ The Apartment. Mon. Aug. 22.

NORTHROP AUDITORIUM PLAZA
84 Church St. SE, Mpls., 612-24-2345 
Orchestra Baobob. Fri. July 12, 8 p.m.
Free outdoor concerts, Noon–1 p.m.
Axis Mundi. Mon. July 1.
Doug Little Quartet. Tue. July 2.
Cedar Avenue Big Band. Mon. July 8.
Triplicate. Tue. July 9.
Lehto and Wright. Wed. July 10.
Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. Thu. July 12.
Fringe Festival Preview. Mon. July 15. West Bank in front of Willey Hall.
Summit Hill Brass Quintet. Tue. July 16.
Tim Sparks Trio. Wed. July 17.
Bernie Edstrom Sextet. Thu. July 18.
Jaztronauts. Fri. July 19.
Leo and Kathy Lara. Mon. July 22.
Laura Caviani Quintet. Wed. July 24.
Prague 24.Thu. July 25.
Urban Renewal Bluegrass. Mon. July 29.
Ameriikan Poijat. Wed. Aug. 7.

STATE THEATRE
810 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 
651-989-5151 
Indigo Girls w/ Full Band. Fri. July 5, 8 p.m. $29.50/$35.

STEVENS SQUARE PARK
18th St. E. & 2nd Ave. S., Mpls., 612-870-0309x1
Music & Movies Series. Music starts at 8 p.m. Movies start at dusk.
Molly Maher & her Oakum Band w/ Airport. Wed. July 10.
Larry McDonough & Off Beat w/ Driving Miss Daisy. Wed. July 17.
Ear Candy w/ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Wed. July 24.
Baby Grant Johnson w/ Two-Lane Blacktop. Wed. July 31.

TARGET CENTER
7th St. & N. 1st Ave., Mpls., 
651-989-5151 
Smokin’ Grooves Tour: Outkast, Lauryn Hill, Jurassic 5, The Roots, Truth Hurts, & Cee-Lo. Thu. July 25, 7 p.m. $39.50.

UMOJA DRUM & MUSIC
1920 11th Ave. S., Mpls., 
612-872-0164
Beginning Hand Drumming Class. Fridays, 6 p.m.
Youth Drum Circle. Saturdays, 11 a.m.
Beginning Music Classes. Arranged individually.
Open Drum & Music Jam. 1st Fri. of month, 8:30 p.m. $3 suggested donation.

3200 Chicago Ave. S.
Mpls, MN 55407
telephone: (612) 822-4662
fax: (612) 822-0342