ESSENTIAL EVENT // Sarah Small's "Tableau Vivant": 120 Models and Otherworldly Musical Talent

On May 23 and 24, around 120 models will descend upon Brooklyn's art-deco landmark Skylight One Hanson. No, it's not some sort of weird Terry Richardson casting call. It's the latest and biggest version of photographer Sarah Small's Tableau Vivant, in which those models will be "assembled together as a living, breathing image." A real-life enactment of Small's ongoing photographic series, The Delirium Constructions.

"I bring models into improbable, close interactions to examine the social and graphic contrasts of youth and experience, hysteria and discipline, tragedy and hilarity, and sexuality and desexualization," Small says of the series.

The first Tableau Vivant took place in 2009 and featured 35 models. This time the number has nearly quadrupled and there will also feature an incredible musical component; including traditional Bulgarian folk songs, choral drones, and opera performed by members of Small's own Black Sea Hotel a cappella quartet. She's also working with Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond and composing an aria for Abigail Wright of the Metropolitan Opera. And, as if that doesn't already sound awesome enough, the Brooklyn Rider string quartet will be performing as well.

Tableu Vivant happens at Skylight One Hanson May 23 at 7pm and May 24 at 8pm. Find more info at livingpictureprojects.com and get tickets here.

Check out a video of one of Small's previous Tableau Vivants, which took place at powerHouse Arena during the Dumbo Arts Festival:

Tableau Vivant - Dumbo Arts Festival - powerHouse Arena from Sarah Small's Tableau Vivant on Vimeo.