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The ?pathetic aesthetic? was a short-lived but influential art movement of the 1990s, with artists like Cary Leibowitz and Mike Kelley presenting sad, soiled, inept works that commented on the creator?s lack of self-esteem and skill. Kelley?s stuffed animals and sock puppets became famous (one was used on the Sonic Youth album Dirty), while Leibowitz created poorly lettered signs with messages like SORRY, I HAD BROCCOLI FOR LUNCH.

To the pathetic-aesthetic tradition, add Dina Martina (the creation of Seattle performance artist Grady West), a performer completely without singing or dancing talent and whose between-show patter is best defined as ?stream of unconsciousness.? (Her own website describes her as ?tragic singer, horrible dancer and surreal raconteur.?) Though Dina has existed for nearly 20 years, her show last week at One Eyed Jacks was her first appearance in New Orleans.? [ Read more ]

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