Sirens & Society: Postmodern Mermaidia

Photo: Jason Falchook

Photo: Jason Falchook

A Screening & Panel Discussion featuring Prof. Amy Herzog, Mica Scalin, Ilise “The Lady Aye” Carter and Bambi the Mermaid
Date: Thursday, July 21st
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $5
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

Forget vampires, werewolves, and zombies! All across America-at least according to USA Today’s Carol Memmot, who recently documented the explosion of high-profile books, blogs and movies devoted to modern “mermadia”-mermaids are emerging as “the next big thing.

Tonight’s screening and panel discussion will investigate the new wave of mermaid imagery and lifestyle being created by individual artists and the culture industry at large. We will begin with a preview screening of the new documentary “Mermaids of New York,” followed by a panel discussion featuring professor Amy Herzog, filmmakers Mica Scalin and Ilise “The Lady Aye” Carter, and practicing mermaid Bambi the Mermaid. The aim of the evening is to investigate the explosion of interest in these elusive mythical creatures expressing archetypes ranging from bright childhood whimsy to dark sexual intrigue, with an eye to discovering why these creatures? And why now?

Amy Herzog is associate professor of film studies at Queens College and The Graduate Center, CUNY. She is the author of Dreams of Difference, Songs of the Same: The Image of Time in Musical Film, which includes an extended study of Esther Williams and “water-based” musical cinema. She recently presented a new project on the history, aesthetics, and politics of underwater amusements and roadside attractions at this year’s Congress of Curious Peoples at Coney Island.

Filmmakers Mica Scalin and Ilise “The Lady Aye” Carter, the creators of the ongoing documentary video project “Mermaids of New York,” which follows some of the truly amazing, beautiful and genuine mermaids that live on and around the island of Manhattan by weaving together anecdotes from some of New York’s most renowned mermaids as a jumping off point to explore the connections between New York City, the individuals who choose to call it home and the water which surrounds it.

Bambi the Mermaid is a professional mermaid performer, acclaimed photographer and organizer of Coney Island USA’s Mermaid Parade whose art deals with pop culture, Americana and the strange places beauty and perversion meet.

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