June 24, 2008
Carny
“Carnys”
Seems like a derogatory term to me but it’s become sort of a badge of honor as well. Since I was 6 years old I was fascinated with the traveling carnival that would come through my small town at the end of every Aug. I’d sneak up town and watch the “Carnys” set up the mechanical rides and game booths where one could win an Ozzy Osbourne “Bark at the Moon” mirror to hang in your bedroom. Occasionally I’d help them out for a couple of bucks or some free rides. I always noticed how the people traveling with the carnival were different, not in a bad way, but just different in how they behaved and were treated by the locals (myself included). I can remember more than one occasion when town locals would give the “Carnys” a hard time and I’ve always felt bad about that. It’s always made me wonder, what do they think of the towns they travel to, what do they think of the people they provide fun to, what kind of life is it on the road traveling with your family (sometimes small babies) living in temporary trailers? It’s gotta be a tough and lonely life yet for some reason they’re still out there doing it.
Artist/Photographer Virginia Lee Hunter has helped Alison Murray make a film (and companion book) that explores the life of “Carnys”. This film will have a showing at Moore Auditorium located at Webster University on Thur Jun 26 at 8pm. Tickets are $6.00 and I highly recommend the film and Virginia’s book on this incredible, invisible society of people who still exist in today’s modern world.
Webster University Film Series
Thursday Night Docs
Presents
Carny
A story of Carnival Life – The Grit Behind the Grit
Cinematographer and author Virginia Lee Hunter,
Along with one of Carny’s subjects will be on hand for a Q and A
Virginia’s book Carny: American on the midway will also be available for purchase
Thursday Jun 26
8pm
Moore Auditorium
Located in
Webster Hall on the campus of Webster University
470 E Lockwood Ave
Tickets - $6
Parking is available on both street and University parking lots
With that I leave you with the first painting I ever did circa 1979. This painting was created by using a machine at one of those traveling carnivals. A small piece of cardboard is placed on a spinning surface and you apply the paint as the cardboard spins. As you can see, the result was pretty cool.
