GAYLETTER

The dancer and performance artist Tyler Ashley first came to our attention when we hosted the Fire Island Pines Performance Series benefit at the Elizabeth Street Garden. Tyler performed an amazing piece in front of the celeb packed crowd, that involved him moving around a dance space, naked, in a clear plastic skirt. I think I got a better view of his asshole than I’ve ever seen of my own. After that performance we just knew we had to include him in our Pride Party at the Wythe Hotel. We’re so glad we did. While it was a shorter piece (drunk people aren’t the best audience for performance art) it was just as powerful.

We interviewed the performer and our friend, the talented photographer Renee Cox took some lovely images, enjoy.

Did you go to dance school? No. Well, kind of. Growing up I studied voice and did musical theater. And I played a lot of sports. There wasn’t a dance school in or anywhere near my small hometown. It wasn’t until I took my first official dance class in college that I finally found the perfect balance between performance and athleticism. I graduated with a minor in dance. And another in photography.

When did you start dancing? That first dance class in college was in 2004. I was 19. I look exactly the same now — I promise…

Are you still dancing with Elizabeth Streb? I am! I’m not a full time company member, but dance in specific pieces on a project basis. I start rehearsing with the company again this month. We’re performing at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for New York City Center‘s Fall for Dance Festival, September 16th – 17th.

I saw you performing a piece that Streb choreographed and there was lots of falling from up high, what was the most challenging part about that? This is the piece that I’ll be in at the Delacorte! It’s called “Human Fountain.” I was part of the creation of this piece about 3 years ago. Back then, the most challenging part was landing flush. You don’t want to land top heavy or bottom heavy. Can you guess which one I leaned toward?! NOW, the hardest thing is staying conditioned enough to run, climb, and fall or fly over and over for 20 minutes straight. It’s a huge cardio challenge.

When did you come up with the piece you performed at our Pride party, does it have a name, tell us about it? My first idea for this piece was just under a year ago. It’s called “swadhisthana: The Event” and is an experiment where I examine risk, exposure and labor as ritual to juxtapose presentations and uses of tools with personal evolution in gender, control, vulnerability, and celebrity. This piece also marks my first public exploration into visual art. I’ve created a collection of collage sculptures that exist as their own objects, as well as play a role in the performance. Another young dance maker, Sarah A.O. Rosner, helped me shoot softcore porn videos with the sculptures — these are also on view during the show. Also for the live performance, I’m so lucky to have two amazing artist friends involved. Theodor Wilson, aka Hamm Samwich, has created the music and live sound effect score. And photographer Koitz shoots me live during the piece.

What are you going to be performing at the Fire Island Pines Performance Series? I’ll be performing what I think will be a final version of “swadhisthana”. I have developed this piece over the past 10 months and I think I’ve finally reached some type of conclusion. My last full piece was part of Performa in 2011, so I’m super excited to have a second child. It’s going to take place on the Fire Island Pines helipad. The location is so dramatic, but simple. It’s beautiful! I really have to thank everyone at the series for all of their support and love.

Do you choreograph your own work? Yup!

What’s it like dancing nude at a party full of drunk people? Ha Ha. Your Pride party was the first time for me to perform the piece in that kind of setting. It was great. A bit cramped, but I love being so close to the audience. I was brushing people as I moved around the space and at certain points my face or ass was literally dragging along someone’s crotch or leg. Then there were those two slop cases that literally wouldn’t get out of my way…then one fell over. I swear I didn’t mean to knock her down. I think she actually loved it. Like I was Axl Rose spitting on her chest or something. They were totally rooting for me. I’m always curious about public performances that allow a live negotiation of space.

Do you like being naked in public? I vacillate. I like walking around naked in my apartment in front of 10 foot windows with no curtains. I like wearing the smallest possible bathing suit during the summer. I like performing this current piece naked. I think being naked in public is important. Mystery is an amazing thing too. I think it’s a balance.

Don’t miss Tyler’s next performance on August 10th, at the Fire Island Pines Performance Series 2013.