Legendary underground actor Mario Montez was a favorite subject of artists Jack Smith and Andy Warhol, and was a founding member of the Ridiculous Theatrical Company with Charles Ludlam in the 1960s. While researching Warhol’s early films, New York City-based artist Conrad Ventur learned that reclusive Montez had begun to emerge from retirement after 35 years. They began a friendship through Ventur’s re-staging of Warhol’s ‘screen tests’ using the same methods and Factory stars, including Montez. They continued their collaboration for three years, Ventur noting that, “I began to think about people, not just the media in which they were recorded years ago.” Ventur has since produced a series of digital c-prints, videos, and live performances with Montez, which were to culminate in Mario Montez Returns. 

Montez was to star in this six-week performance environment staged at PARTICIPANT INC for PERFORMA 13. The multi-media project, written and directed by Ventur for Montez, would have reunited actors from the original Ridiculous Theatrical Company and the renowned downtown theater La Mama alongside subsequent generations of performers including Agosto Machado, Everett Quinton, Lola Pashalinski, Marti Domination, Mr. Twinkle, and Brandon Olson. Mario Montez died on September 26, 2013. To celebrate Montez's contribution to underground cinema, Ventur has organized Tribute to Mario Montez, featuring films that were among Montez’s favorites of the myriad in which he starred by Jose Rodriguez-Soltero, Jack Smith, Andy Warhol, Ron Rice, Avery Willard, and Takahiko Iimura.

Sunday, Nov 10

Jose Rodriquez-Soltero, Lupe, 1966, 16mm, 49:30 min
Jack Smith, Jungle Island, 1967, 16mm, 15 min
Andy Warhol, Mario Banana, 1964, 16mm, 4 min
Conrad Ventur, Boca Chica, 2013, video, NY premiere, 3 min

Sunday, Nov 17

Jack Smith, Flaming Creatures, 1962-3, 16mm, 43 min
Ron Rice, Chumlum, 1964, 16mm, 23 min
Avery Willard, remnant: Flaming 20s, 1968, 16mm on video, 1 min

Sunday, Nov 24

Andy Warhol, Hedy, 1966, 16mm, 66 min
Takahiko Iimura, Face, 1969, 16mm, 20.5 min
Conrad Ventur, Atlantis, 2011, video, 2 min