New Modality Catalyst:
Dan Gerbang, Musical Comedian
Dan Gerbang is a performance artist based out of California, known for work that is equal parts disorienting and humorous, full of heart and musicality, combining crafted material with spontaneity, often with an improvised structure. Every performance of Dan’s is a tight-wire act, unique and reactive to the space, time, audience and the state of his own mind. He's scheduled to appear at our upcoming event at The Battery on February 28th, 2020; here's more about him...
What are some of your favorite past projects? Why do you feel great about them?
Composing music and soundscape for a puppet the size of a box truck, @CallSatanLive : the only hotline where you can talk directly to the dark lord (818-92-SATAN), and working with Jeff Lynne on mastering an Electric Light Orchestra Record.
“I’m pleased to see the barriers surrounding identity begin to dissolve.”
What’s a specific project that you’re excited about right now?
I’m working on a top-secret video series starring puppets. I’ve already said too much.
What’s your biggest, most out-there dream of a better world?
A post-labor society where automation has liberated humanity from the need to work while increasing our ability to focus on exploring and healing our inner selves, connecting to creativity and play and discovering the area of genius each of us is destined for… that sexy little overlap of what we are good at, what we love to do, and what is valuable to our community.
What's a current cultural edge you're excited to see people pushing?
I’m pleased to see the barriers surrounding identity begin to dissolve, that we are integrating the reality that every person contains many aspects or personas at once, many more over a day and even more over a lifetime.
What's your favorite thing about The New Modality?
It’s fresh... 100% pure potential.
New Modality Catalysts
The New Modality is about experiments in culture — and the people who do those experiments. NewMo Catalysts are people who do things we admire and want to celebrate. They also help us stay accountable to our values.
To learn more about NewMo Catalysts (or nominate someone to be a Catalyst), check out the Catalyst page in our Values section.
This profile was edited by Michael J. Seidlinger, print and digital producer of The New Modality.