John Dunivant – The Twins
John Dunivant is a painter and multimedia artist working out of Detroit, Michigan. One of his largest artistic accomplishments—Theatre Bizarre—violated an untold number of laws and gave attendants an immersive Halloween masquerade experience that was unrivaled anywhere in the world before being shut down by the city in 2010. To be blunt it is the Greatest Masquerade on Earth. To be honest it’s unlike anything else. Read on for the 1xRUN Thru with John Dunivant discussing his latest print “The Fools” which drops 4/3 at 12pm EST.
the 1xRUN Thru Interview
The Twins by John Dunivant
1xRun: When was this piece drawn/created?
John Dunivant: In the fall of 2010
1xRun: What was it originally created for?
John Dunivant: It was originally created as both an outlet and as a way of bringing awareness to
Theatre Bizarre. It was meant to feel as if you found only a couple of cards from a long lost and ancient set of tarots that still held some last bits of magic. And, if you looked deeper into it’s origins you would find Theatre Bizarre.
1xRun: Where did the Twins sit in the context of Theatre Bizarre?
John Dunivant: The Twins were among the first inhabitants of that world. They came about around 10 years ago, during the early years. She represents the beauty in danger, amongst other things. She and the 4-legged woman, on the Fool card, embody physical desires in some ways as well, through the literal act of adding more body parts. The little pumpkin guys have been appearing in my work for a long time. They are mischievous little delinquents.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
John Dunivant: This image is based, in part, on
the high priestess card. She’s a keeper of arcane secrets and wisdom and she’s sort of a guide or an inner voice. Traditionally, the high priestess informs the fool, which is why these cards were originally paired together. I drew it all in pencil, these are a giclée reproduction with a hand-pulled gold screen print on top.
1xRun: How long did this piece take?
John Dunivant: About a week and a half.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
John Dunivant: It has special powers.
Click To See Videos of Theatre Bizarre
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece/print?
John Dunivant: It’ll give you special powers!
1xRun: Describe the piece/print in one gut reaction word.
John Dunivant: Special!
See a immersive interactive 360 view of the former grounds of Theatre Bizarre
See John Dunivant’s website here and see more Theatre Bizarre here.
Also check out The Fool which drops on April 3rd. See past work from John in the 1xRUN Archives.
- 1xRUN
