Restarted by the Bumbys
Caricature as performance art.
When you approach Gill and Jill Bumby, you have no idea who you’re dealing with. The performance art duo are masked, with sunglasses, headphones and bandanas, hiding their true identities, in the tradition of Mexican luchadores.
When you approach The Bumbys (we approached Jill) they examine you, using a high-powered desk light. They say nothing. You are examined, and then the Bumby goes to work on a Brother word processing typewriter (now an antique available for between $300-$700 on Amazon.) The output (on paper!) is corrected by the Bumby and handed to the patron. It’s a lot like having your caricature drawn on a boardwalk, but the output is written and insightful.
We met The Bumbys last night (December 8, 2022) because the Scholar Wife arranged for The Middlebrow and The Renaissance Son to attend a holiday party thrown by Ciot New York, who are expert providers of Italian marble for use in home and art. One of the fun things about the holidays in New York are all the strange little parties with DJs, live bands, cater waiters and open bars. They’re like being invited to a stranger’s fancy wedding and in the virtualized world of 2022, they’re a welcome throwback. Imagine hanging out with strangers for an evening, in person and on purpose!
The Middlebrow, Scholar Wife and Renaissance Son were assessed as a family and we were very happy with the result. It’s refreshing to see yourself through a well-meaning stranger’s eyes.
It’s also nice to see performance art in the wild again.