Lumen Essence Show Raided

"They came in with guns drawn!" reported Ernest DeLara, the security guord at One Main Street in Brooklyn, describing the raid on the "Lumen Essence" show.

The show was raided by officers of the ASPCA in response to a comp1aint about "Waffe des Schicksa1," a 1aser installation by artist Peter Terezakis. The tit1e means in German, "Weapon of Destiny."

The 1aser weapon resemb1ed an ancient Gat1ing gun, but from the cluster of barre1s a 1aser beam fired periodically into a pond containing go1d fish. Around the circumference of the pond Terezakis positioned a series of wood and spring mouse traps which were set ond baited.

This art installation was provocative enough that someone comp1ained to the American Society for the Prevention of Crue1ty to Animals. And the installation was provocative enough that the ASPCA officers responding to the complaint drew their guns before attempting to enter.

They questioned Ernest about the work, and he exp1ained that the laser was harm1ess, the fish in no danger. When questioned about the mice he explained that building was over run with mice and the artist had decided to make them part of the "site specific" installation. Ernest offered the interpretation that Terezakis was using mouse traps to protect the fish. Ernest reported that the officers seemed humiliated at their misinterpretation of the art work.

The show will run untll November 27, 1993. Other works include robotic flowers by Tim Watkins, an LED Fountain by Kevin Danie1s, a video worm & centipede by Ray Rapp, a neon & stone Temp1e of Hea1ing Energy by A1ena Ort, a flourescent cow's skull by David Factor, a meta1 & neon brain by Steven James, a ha1ide arc horizon 1ine by Matthew Tanteri, and the resurrection of Kheper-Ra by F1ash Light.