The word “unique” is tossed around too often and too carelessly. People sloppily tack and staple the adjective onto anything and everything that might be difficult to describe. Thus, I won’t assign the tired classification to the material presented in Andy Friedman and Paul Curreri’s “Make A Living Tour.” But I will say the work is like nothing I’ve ever seen — or heard — before.
The “Make A Living Tour” will come to Sam Bond’s Garage at 407 Blair Blvd. on Saturday at 8 p.m. During the shows, Brooklyn-based artist Friedman performs, rather than simply displaying, his pencil drawings and Polaroids. Afterward, acoustic guitarist and singer Curreri plays folk-inspired tunes; his demo tracks are soulful and real. The two met in art school and have been touring together for almost a year.
In Friedman’s section of the show, he explains his creations with stories and insights. Friedman’s book, “Drawings & Other Failures,” contains many of the works he incorporates into the tour. The collection, a slim, hand-sized publication, is addictive. The texture and weight of the pages is inviting; the contents evoke a sense of peeking at Friedman’s private journal. And according to Friedman, in essence, his art is exactly that — an outward expression of his entire existence.
“That’s my whole life,” he said.
Friedman said his original idea was to put together a book of oil paintings based on his Polaroids and drawings, but he spent more than three years on a single painting. He said he soon realized it might take him 10 years to finish the compilation. Instead, he decided to publish the raw photographs and drawings.
“That’s why the book is called “Drawings & Other Failures,” he said. “You have to sort of embrace your failures …”
The collection also contains a long poem , which Friedman described as a “drawing made out of words and sentences — a tapestry weaving through years and years.”
“I made that poem the same way I might make a drawing,” he said.
Friedman’s book was published by City Salvage Records in 2001, and he will release a second collection April 22, titled “Future Blues.” His books are available at shows, New York bookstores and scattered independent bookstores across the country. Curreri’s new album, “Songs for Devon Sproule,” will hit the shelves the same day.
Friedman described “Drawings & Other Failures” as detailing his experiences “as a lonely man trying to find his way in the world,” and his coming “Future Blues” as “a married man who found his way.”
Both Friedman and Curreri seem to approach their art in a straightforward manner. Friedman’s works are stark and direct; Curreri’s sound is raw and gripping.
“I’m just someone like Andy who is trying to find perhaps the purest route of expression that I can,” Curreri said. “I’m trying to cut away all the excess that I can.”
However, Friedman said the novelty of this type of performance is something he would like to see disappear. He said he wants others to put together collaborations similar to his and Curreri’s work.
“A hope of mine is that what I’m doing really becomes commonplace,” he said.
But for now, the duo’s art remains in a category of its own — a crazy, beautiful conglomeration of snippets reflecting their individual experiences. The current book and album are well worth a look-and-listen, and their show promises to be even more thought-provoking.