MADISON PALFFY

GOLDEN STAG

Choreographed and performed by Madison Palffy

GOLDEN STAG IS AN INVESTIGATION INTO ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION, MAGIC, OBJECTS, MYTH, AND JOSEPH BEUYS. 

Florence Civic Center / February 2016

Hadley, MA / May 2016

ACCOMPANYING TEXT:

YOU MIGHT ONE DAY BE THE GOLDEN STAG. YOU MIGHT ONE DAY BE RUNNING DESPERATE PERHAPS A STITCH IN YOUR SIDE--PERHAPS A BROKEN HALFHOOF. THE NOVEL OF YOUR LIFE RUNNING OUT.

YOU MIGHT ONE DAY BE THE GOLDEN STAG. YOU MAY ONE DAY BE MUTE, THE ROCKS PILING UP INSIDE OF YOU. A LUMINOUS PRESENCE IN THE DARK WOODS. A DEEP POOL, A WISHING WELL. A WELL WORN STATUE CHILDREN RUB FOR GOOD LUCK. A DREAM TO CHASE YOU. A BODY WHOSE CONTOURS ARE OUTLINED IN LIGHTNING.

THE GOLDEN STAG IS ELEMENTAL. IS DECOMPOSING AND STRUCK WITH A MYTHIC ENERGY IN THE NIGHT. THE GOLDEN STAG’S MIND IS BLANK LIKE THAT OF A PROFOUND PHILOSOPHER OR THE BEST BIRDWATCHER.

HERE IS THE GOLDEN STAG IN MINIATURE FORM. WHEN THINGS ARE SMALLER THEY FIT IN YOUR HAND. MAYBE YOUR MOUTH. HERE IS A QUESTION THOUGH, WHAT ABOUT THE GOLDEN STAG IS IRREDUCIBLE, CAUSES WORDS TO BEHAVE LIKE SLIPPERY BLACK EELS IN YOUR MIND?

A CHEMICAL PROCESS, THE MIDAS TOUCH. SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS WHEN PUSHED OR PUSHING. IF THE ARMS FLAP LONG ENOUGH THEY BECOME WINGS.