Michelle Ellsworth: The Objectification of Things

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The lowly hamburger is the star in Michelle Ellsworth’s The Objectification of Things, a multimedia production that somehow makes a patty and bun compelling. In Objectification, it’s the artist’s intent to ditch the human-centric point of view and prompt people to reconsider the often overlooked world of nonhuman, carbon-based objects. The result is a seven-section performance depicting the life cycle of the sandwich, including burger sex. Ellsworth, who also narrates and dances (with the burger, no less!), uses choreography, a green screen and stop-action animation to depict the central figure’s birth, death and, yes, love life. “It definitely has entertainment value — to see two hamburgers get it on has a certain humor — but underlying it is the environmental implications of the objects we choose,” she says. “It’s neither dogmatic nor preachy, but it definitely covers some scientific ground.” You had us at burger sex. 8 p.m. today and tomorrow. DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway. For information, call 713-223-8346 or visit www.diverseworks.org. $8 to $15.

Fri., March 20, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 21, 8 p.m., 2009