Shake, Rattle, & Roll. Handcrafted Soundsuits to the Extreme

By Laura Medina

Sculptor/Dancer/Fashion Designer, Nick Cave's Soundsuits

A night prior to the officially start to Spoleto USA, the Halsey Center for Contemporary Art throw a costume bash to welcome sculptor/dancer/fashion designer and instructor, Nick Cave, and his troupe of Soundsuits.

They paired with a photo exhibit of authentic African tribes in their ceremonial "Call and Response" costumes.

The parallel is uncanny. Both use discarded toys, fabrics, and trims where the outfit is both a musical instrument and a costume in one.

Loaded with spinning tops, sequins, spangles, and literally, bells and whistles, Mr. Cave sounded his Alvin Ailey dance training to synchronize the steps to compose music. A rattle and jiving human percussion.

On its earlier stops at UCLA and the LA Art Show, this flew under the radar but Charleston's Halsey Center did it right by asking attendees to respect the exhibit by flying their inner Seasame Street in costume.

The Audrey Hepburn in burgundy tulle ruffles pay homage to the Soundsuits. Another uses surrealism in head to toe black silhouette.

This wasn't restricted to the young. The more mature audience either came out as Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein or grannies as senior citizen Lady GaGas in face painted roses or Ziggy Stardust lighting bolts.

This is just a warm up to...