Billy X. Curmano: Journal

We traveled the Interstate to Utah and over-nighted in Brigham City. Early the next morning, we got onto bad to worse roads, crossed over 4 cattle guards and ended at the Great Salt Lake. Another 1/2 mile in on foot and we were at Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty". A 1,500 foot black basalt rock spiral jutting out and into the lake. His work influenced me as a young artist and I finally got to experience his most well-known piece.
The "Secret Mission" was this journey across thousands of miles to perform a greeting from the Mississippi River to the Great Salt Lake on the "Spiral Jetty". The performance was documented in a daily journal and on video. More will follow.

It's the infancy of my latest project. I'm not sure where it will lead me, so it must remain somewhat secretive for the time being.

I was surfing the web and ran into an article in EuroArts that surprised me. It's from a 1984 live art performance in Winona, MN. It became part of an art historical document in UCLA's Journal of Anthropoetics in about 2000 and now it's been re-created in this 2009 article. Does that make it timeless or will time only tell? In any event here it is excerpted from:

"The Sacrificial Aesthetic: Blood Rituals from Art to Murder"

"The artist becomes or enacts the sacrifice, the stage represents sacred space, the performance is held in sacred time, and significantly the blood is fresh, crimson and free flowing. A classic example of performance art as blood sacrifice is a performance entitled "Bloodbath" by Minnesota Artist Billy Curmano. Press releases announced that "The artist’s own blood is shed in a human sacrifice intended to focus attention on global violence."(16) At the performance, which was symbolically held on Saint Valentine’s Day, Curmano was dressed in white and sitting next to a globe of the world; the audience was informed that his blood would be spilled as a sacrifice to ease the need for suffering and death."(17) Since Curmano had promised that he would supply his own blood for the sacrifice and would not mutilate himself on stage, a nurse sat next to him and extracted a dozen vials of blood by needle from Curmano’s arms as a drum beat in the background. During the ceremony Curmano opened each vial with his teeth and spilled his blood on the globe while a voice offstage announced the names of countries in conflict. (18) Although this encompasses all aspects of the use of blood in sacrifice, it is basically a non-violent performance." -Dawn Perlmutter

The Winona Arts Center presents a screening of “live art” videos and free jazz in the main galleries on Fifth and Franklin Streets in downtown Winona at 7:30 p.m., June 6. The classic videos are culled from pioneering performance artist Billy X. Curmano and will include “Performance for the Dead” and several shorts followed and interspersed with free jazz from long time collaborators the New X Art Ensemble featuring the Amazing Tess Toster Tones.
The award-winning artist entered the international arena with universal subject matter. He was buried alive for 3 days with all the trimmings including an Italian wake, New Orleans-style jazz funeral and an international postal exhibition on the theme of death. He explored water issues with a trilogy that included swimming the length of the Mississippi River, fasting in Death Valley and traveling to the Arctic Circle on public transport.
The videos and other tracks from these performances have gone to major collections like the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. He’s been featured on the “City Pages A list” in Minneapolis and as Mary Beth Crain reported for a Los Angeles “LA Weekly Pick of the Week” article:
“Curmano calls 'Adventures with Billy' 'a slightly satirical journey documenting art as life and life as art.' I call it an uninhibited blend of courage, charisma and chutzpah, the sort of thing you either love or hate but definitely aren't allowed to regard with, God forbid, neutrality.”
D.L. Hunt, Steve Smith and Billy X. formed New X as a link between performance art, classical music and free jazz. It is arguably the longest running free jazz collective in the region. The unit expanded as other musicians were drawn to the artistic freedom New X offers. They don’t embalm jazz or play hug-your-bunny cute insipid pop. New X is an eclectic blend of music, sound and improvisation rapped around words and odd tones. Reviewers have compared them to Lionel Hampton, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman and the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
Recession pricing: $5.00

News Release:
The Rouge Forum Conference at Eastern Michigan University presents “Billy X: Live Art at the Forum" Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. in Ypsilanti. Billy X. Curmano shares a history of activism in troubled times through a solo intermedia performance featuring storytelling, video and live music. On Saturday, he offers a workshop, “How to Change Culture through Art”.

The Rouge Forum is a group of concerned educators, students, and parents intent on teaching against racism, national chauvinism and sexism in an increasingly authoritarian and undemocratic society. Curmano’s sometimes in your face brand of performance art has landed him on the world stage and occasionally behind bars. His often-humorous work is documented in numerous journals and collections including New York’s Museum of Modern Art Library.

The conference takes its name from the industrially polluted Rouge River that runs behind the Detroit Ford plant. Billy X. is especially known for extreme environmental, anti-war and social justice non-violent guerilla actions filtered through fine art. Appropriately in his most obsessive piece, he swam the length of the Mississippi River as a performance and environmental statement. A decorated veteran, he’s also worked with Vietnam Veterans Against the War since the late 60’s and authors “Oxy the Smart Bomb” for their national newspaper.

His workshop is sub-titled “Creativity of the people, for the people and the planet” and will focus on intentional art that has the power to touch people, affect their attitudes and ultimately their behavior for a better world. The conference theme is “Education, Empire, Economy & Ethics at a Crossroads” and includes the legendary activist, historian and lawyer Staughton Lynd, NCSS Defense of Academic Freedom Award recipient Greg Queen and eco-justice, educator and scholar Rebecca Martusewicz as keynote speakers.

Great times and great people. Water Week in Salt Lake City was extraordinary. I was honored to have a photo from the Mississippi River Swim Project chosen as the central image on all their posters, programs and even the city banner. Local artists under the umbrella of Brolly Arts converted a three-story warehouse and sites around the city into performance and gallery spaces with a water based theme. I screened video and performed at Brewvies Cinema Pub.
The rest of the week was mostly spent hiking streams, canyons and the Great Salt Lake doing research for a new project in the alpine desert environment. As it stands, I’m excited about the possibilities and the uniqueness and magic of the salt to fresh water environment.
I’ve only got a few days at home before Detroit and the Rouge Forum Conference with a Friday performance and Saturday workshop. With any luck, some of the progressive folks at the conference will spread across the country with fresh ideas on activism.

"Portrait of the artist as Someone Else" received an honorable mention in the 50th Midwestern Invitational at the Rourke Museum, Moorhead, MN It will be on display there from June 18th throughout the summer. I don't remember what I was thinking when I painted it, but there you have it.
It's reproduced in our images.

For Immediate Release:

Billy X. Curmano launches his latest work with an appearance at “Water Week” in Salt Lake City on May 3rd. The award winning artist is known for eccentric performances like being buried alive and swimming the length of the Mississippi River. He brings his water based environmental art trilogy to Brewvies Cinema Pub, 677 S. 200 W. #D, with video-screenings culled from “Swimming the Mississippi”, “Death Valley Desert Classic” and “66º 33’ North” followed by a live art performance.

The 2,367.4-mile Mississippi River swim was a performance, environmental statement and vision quest through the “Father of Waters” during drought, abundance and over-abundance. The resultant documentary won the “ 2002 Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film & Digital Media”. He greeted the Millennium in Death Valley with a 40-day desert fast that took him from the abundance of water to its absence. The third leg of the trilogy was as witness to water in changing states with an Arctic Circle odyssey entirely on public transportation.

Billy X. will arrive in Salt Lake City several days before the screenings to begin an as-yet unnamed work in the Salt Lake Eco-system. He will gather “Ambassadors for Clean Water” as collaborators. The salty team will develop a fresh work in and about the area’s unique environmental issues with an eye to next year’s festival. Progress will be reported on the Internet through out the year with frequent updates in the journal at http://www.billyx.net and on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/BillyXC
“Hmmm… I’m wondering, now that everybody is green, am I still a tree hugger?” - Billy XC, Tweet on Twitter, April 21, 2009

I am an artist and an agnostic. I have often said, " Well, I just don't know." But as an artist indebted to science, I've realized that I do know.
Science cannot prove the existence of a Creator, but then again, science cannot disprove the existence of a Creator.
Therefore, I do know - that I just don't know.

I’ve posted my painting “Portrait of the Artist as Someone Else” in images. It will be included in “The 50th Midwestern Invitational Exhibition” at the Rourke Art Gallery Museum in Moorhead, MN for most of the summer. Here are a few thoughts on it.

“Portrait of the Artist as Someone Else”

As children, we often played make-believe. We were cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, soldiers against soldiers – it was good over evil. First ones to call out, “Good guys”, were just that. But as we got the drop on each other (sometimes with only pistol pointed fingers) we called, “You’re dead!” After an Oscar worthy death scene, “I’m a new man!” was the common response. “Portrait of the Artist as Someone Else” is my new man.

Orange Alert got a nice review in Milwaukee's alternative paper, The Shepherd Express.

Threat Level 3 Orange Alert
Neither the name of the band nor the album connotes any danger from Homeland Security. Instead, Threat level 3 turns their Orange Alert into electro-acoustic free jazz meditations on world music. Ex-Milwaukeeans Billy X. Curmano and John Pendergast pluck, strum and bow their stringed instruments as Minnesota Steve Smith blows tenor sax and didgeridoo. The inclusion of ocean harp and Zimbabwean Mbira and trippy electric dulcimer makes for textures harsh enough for intentional listening yet unobtrusive enough for background ambience or avant-garde soundtracks.

One piece accompanied by a spoken-word love poem of ambiguous sincerity makes for a dry-humor hoot. Even more engaging, however, are the rickety samba grooves appearing on a couple of pieces. This album is not for smooth-fusion fans by a long stretch, but for those with ears to hear, Threat Level 3 make advanced music theory and dissonance fun. - Jamie Lee Rake

I once flew in to Minneapolis from New York City.

First thing, I went to a monitor to see if my flight had arrived.

As I review the year, I wonder who will be going to jail for upsetting the world economy? The scandal of golden parachutes and the big bucks those fat cats carry seems to divert attention from the real deal.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
Okay, so I’m not a big capital punishment fan, but I want to see anyone that has caused so much suffering and pain to go to jail – and not those country club pseudo jails for the rich. The greedy CEO’s and what not have you are simply economic terrorists and should be treated as such.

Cheers!
Winter always comes to Minnesota and often before the Solstice. I stood casually in my tuxedo, brandy snifter in hand, overlooking the world headquarters and command center of Art Works USA, when the telly rang. It was Dr. Bob. The snow was swirling every which way with North Westerly well below zero winds. The roast was cancelled, but I wasn’t off the proverbial hook. The Billy Roast will be rescheduled. I’ll let you know.

The following is an unauthorized journal entry hacked in by those pesky east side robots. I haven’t figured out how to delete it, but luckily I’ve been able to add this disclaimer. I’m begging you. Don’t support this attack on my good character:

~~~~East Side Robots Hack Attack~~~~Hacked in~~~~Resistance is Futile~~~~
Dr. Bob and the East Side Robots present “Billy Roasting on an Open Fire”
Robotic dance party and human roast of the legendary performance artist Billy X. Curmano with the East Side Robots, members of the New X Art Ensemble and DJ Rhumpshaker. Come as a robot, Win a prize.

Ed’s (No Name) Bar~~~Third & Franklin~~Winona, MN~~~Dec. 20, 2008~~~9 p.m.

A High End Ruduction in conjunction with Rubber Room Records, Hardcorn and Torn Curtain
~~~~East Side Robots Hack Attack~~~~Hacked in~~~~Resistance is Futile~~~~

The incidental front man: Last night, was my first solo “Incidental Music” at Ed’s laid-back-bar in Winona. Sure, I’m often solo on the road, but that’s usually a show with expectations. I approached Ed with the idea of a no “show” atmospheric background sound night. It’s a style I’ve grown more and more into with an annual gig at the Minneapolis Art Institute, but I didn’t know if it would translate well to a bar. It’s free jazz atmospheric, ambient and I guess entertaining. It worked at Ed’s.

Here’s my bonus: Playing incidentally, I allow myself to drift in and out of sound patterns and explore instruments. This first night out included vibraphone, ocean harp and an amped up dulcimer with bow, digital delay and a new capo. I’m sometimes delighted if I discover a new tone or two that I didn’t even know was in or out there.

And here’s the thing, I’m honored to play with the New X Art Ensemble. I often even wonder how I became the front man for a band of superb and seasoned musicians. Being out front has more responsibility than any irresponsible rapscallion may care to undertake, so incidentally, there’s more incidental music on the way.

Last night, I awoke from a dream and realized I could be murdered. I quickly ran the likely suspects through my mind and decided to take action. I announced my latest project that evening at my cousin Cathy’s home in Milwaukee. Incidentally, it was also my boyhood home where a few friends and family were gathered. After several glasses of wine, I was able to convince each of them to donate a single strand of hair: “In case I should ever be murdered.”
The strands were labeled, dated and entered into my sketchbook for eventual transfer to a presentation case that will be made available to the police for DNA examination after my demise.
Original Participants included: Margarita Baumann, Catherine Healey, Susan Russell and John Pankau

The latest issue of the newsletter, that feminist art historian Lucy Lippard has referred to as "hokey fan club press", is just out. "The Fandango" is archived at the Museum of Modern Art Library (NYC), so if you want to join that discriminating crowd you'll have to send a snail mail address and let us know you want to be in. One hard copy sample is always free, but that's as long as we'll carry you.
After that, you'll have to join. But Beware, "Warning and disclaimer: Joining the Billy Curmano Fan Club leaves an indelible mark on your person. You can't always see it, but believe you me, it's there, buddy. See: "The Fandango", Vol. 17 1-2, 1998, for removal information."

I was proof-reading material for the next "Fandango" do out shortly. It reminded me of the exhibition I participated in at the Rourke Museum, Moorhead, MN last summer. I decided to re-create an older piece for their Neo-Dada theme.
"Performance for an Unknown Space with Lemons" was born again in the 49th Midwestern Invitational in the form of a handcrafted artist's book complete with steel hinged binding.
From the title page:
"One day, a note from an artist previously unknown to me arrived by mail. It was from a Hungarian born Canadian artist and founder of the Lyrical Conceptualist Society, Paul Hartal. He had come across my work and found it of interest. He suggested we collaborate.
I prepared a detailed plan for a farcical performance placing sound, music, movement, poetry, sights and scents together in an unfamiliar space. The space and participants were unknown to me. Arrangements were made entirely by mail and the performance strictly adhered to my 16-page instruction booklet.
Performance for an Unknown Space with Lemons was first performed by the Lyrical Conceptualist Society at Atelier 2101, Montreal, and Quebec, Canada in 1980. The performers have remained unknown to me.

Okay, so we aren't selling stock - but we are making our first Tiny Xmas Card available to the public.
For several years, we've been sending out postage stamp size greeting cards with "The Fandango". This year, we're putting that first ever card on the market.
The cards are "Far Less bother! No room for that lengthy personal note. No Muss; No Fuss!"
They come twelve to a package with a dozen standard mailing rate envelopes nicely imprinted on the obverse with: Billy's Tiny Card Co. A tiny subsidiary of Art Works USA. Care enough - Not to make a big Deal®.
The image on the card is a Crayola sketch of a Christmas Tree from my mother's refrigerator collection. I believe I was about 4 years old when I made it. The interior message reads "Merry Li'l Xmas" and there's not much room for anything else.
Click on objects if you'd like to see samples. If you want the limited run cards, they're $15.00 a dozen. Add $5.00 for postage/handling and send a check payable "Art Works USA", 27979 County Road 17, Winona, MN 55987. We'll send a pack out ASAP, but remember supplies are limited. Hurry!

I have had the great pleasure to work with the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) at the Minneapolis Institute of Art as both an artist and panelist. For about 30-years, artists have been invited to an annual meeting at the Minneapolis Institute of Art where they nominate and elect a seven-member artists panel. This panel reviews proposals from Minnesota artists and selects five exhibitions each year that are mounted in the institute’s dedicated galleries. It is a very democratized process entirely curated by artists, for artists and very likely the only program of its kind in a major museum in the United States.
Recently, there was an upheaval in the program as the newly expanded museum adopted a more corporate approach to their administrative structure. In fact, the program lost its long-time coordinator and came close to self-destructing. Meetings were called within the artist community; a “Save the MAEP” committee formed and negotiations went back and forth between the museum and art workers.
Surprise, Surprise! At the annual meeting last Saturday, I was nominated and then elected to the artists’ panel. I hope to help keep the program running as smoothly as possible through this transitional time. I’m Billy X. and I approved this message.

I was just thinking about when I was a young boy - maybe even a young man. I liked to rough house, wrestle, play sports, bang into my friends and so on. I think the pain helped me realize I was alive. As an older man, I don't have to do all those things. The pain just comes and goes on its own.

There is a video short up at You Tube from my Arctic Adventure. Go see it. The back story from "The Fandango" (Vol. 29; 2005-06) follows:
Live Art: 66º 33' North is the third installment of a water based environmental art trilogy that includes the 2,367.4 mile Mississippi River swim in the abundance of water and a 40 day Death Valley Desert Fast in the absence of water. Water is a source of life that solidifies, flows or evaporates with its seasons and takes shape according to its container - whether a vase, stream, fjord or glacier. This third work follows water through the changing conditions of the arctic.
With the "Swim" video at the Baltic and the "Fast" at the Side Cinema, England proved an ideal launching site for "Live Art: 66º 33' North". On Sept. 5th - Billy and his old friend and patron, Dr. David Christenson, formed an Expeditionary Art Adventure Team and departed Newcastle on board the Princess of Scandinavia bound for the Arctic Circle.
An all night North Sea crossing brought them to Kristiansand, Norway where they boarded a series of trains - 5 hours to Oslo, then another overnight to Trondheim and still another 12 hours north to Bodo - and - the Arctic Circle. Mike Fabian joined the crew as they crossed the Arctic Sea to the Lofoten Islands. After 4 days of travel, they took a minibus to the village of A on Moskene for a good night's sleep and then:
Sept. 9, 2005: "We have to be very careful making our way over the slippery rocks. It rains so much the rocks - even back from the sea - take on a bit of sheen.
We set the flag (a blue t-shirt with transfer)
over the ocean harp carrier. Dave took the camera and Mike picked up a GPS reading, Latitude: 67º 52.761' North and Longitude: 012º 59.249' East.
I was in a loud blue rain suit and worked my way to the edge of the rocks. The waves crashed about me soaking my shoes. I bent down and caught some of the sea as it crashed against my uniform.
The ocean harp joined me for the salt water bath. I could taste it as it dripped from my moustache. The vial of Mississippi almost leapt from my pocket to join the adventure. Vial #46 of 110 collected at Lake Itasca, MN on July 8, 1987 - the first day of my 2,000 plus mile swim. Now, the waters from the Mississippi would join the waters of the Arctic Ocean in the vessel that is an ocean harp and I would have the honor of bringing their song to life.
I began percussively with the mallet and words of greeting. The waves clapped against this rocky barrier with a thunderous glee. When I switched to my bow, the waters dripped from its tail. I had hopes it would still sound - and sound it did - until the waters overpowered the artificial cat gut screams. I played on for a time with sound that could not compete with the day.
I was exuberant and excited and all was right with the world. I called out for coordinates and Mike called them back. I doubt they are audible - but I know they are there. I've decided, this singular act needs no enhancement. I've simply journeyed - on public transport - thousands of miles for a symbolic moment bringing the "Father of Waters" together with the Arctic Sea - even though I already knew - he was already here." - The Arctic Journal
This Arctic Odyssey and DVD emphasize the interconnectedness of systems within our biosphere and how parasitic practices and misuse of the planet's resources impact people worlds away. The journey as performance documents the use of efficient public transportation, even in seemingly remote areas, while entertaining people, creatures and the environment with "live art". The video will be brought home to a culture addicted to excess and show how environmental consequences come back to haunt us all.
No where on the planet are the affects of global warming and depletion of ozone more prominent than in the Arctic. In only 30 years between 1960 and 1990, the Arctic ice-floe has decreased in thickness by 40%. (Avg. thickness 3.12 m. 1960; 1.8 m 1990) 1. Pests, like mosquitoes, enjoy the more favorable conditions, while caribou herds and other wildlife decline.
This is by no means a new problem, but the continued exploitation of resources, fight for oil and talk - turned to drilling - in the fragile arctic emphasize its timeliness. It's long been known that even the most isolated areas impact the rest of the planet. As far back as 1987, a Laval University study attempted to measure the contaminants in the breast milk of women living in highly industrialized areas. Scientists selected 200 Inuit women as a control group. They lived in small isolated communities on the Eastern Hudson Bay Coastline with sled dogs more common than gasoline engines.
Their communities were without industry, yet surprisingly, the women's milk had toxic chemicals five times higher than average. Some levels were the highest recorded anywhere in the world. The pristine Canadian North is at the center of a vortex of poisons discarded by the rest of the world. Its creatures and people suffer as waste repositories for the industrial world without receiving any of the benefits. 2.
Pollution from around the globe affects living organisms from the smallest lichens to the noble polar bear. It leads to genetic defects, metabolic changes, reduced fertility, and cancer. It threatens all the people of the Arctic, perhaps even creating an endangered human species. Like the canary in the mine shaft, their health is an indicator for sustainable development. In Arctic Russia, the Mansi don't even reach retirement age and life expectancy for the indigenous people is 20 years lower than that of average Russians. That poses a great moral dilemma. The Arctic's less than 4 million indigenous population is spread over vast distances and has only a small political voice to disuade our greed.
When the ice melts, where will the waters go? Deterioration of the Arctic environment creates severe consequences for us all. Sea levels are rising and major ocean currents may change their paths - affecting not only the coasts, but the entire world climate.
References:
(1. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, "Earth from the Air; Diary 2005", Wecommunic8 Ltd., 2005.
2. Anita Gordon and David Suzuki, "It's a Matter of Survival", Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1991.)

Live Art: 66º 33' North is a call to action; a call for each of us to become responsible and conserve resources. Dependence on oil is an addiction. We're all addicts. Join the oil anonymous X step program.
1. Reduce; re-use, recycle or die.
2. Turn off lights, electronics and TVs. Don't use standby. Get energy efficient appliances/light bulbs.
3. Conserve water. Use short bursts at the sink. Seal leaks. Full washer loads and front loading machines; landscape with indigenous plants; water wisely.
4. Heating/cooling. Insulate. Check energy suppliers for green plans. Use tax incentives to add solar, wind or other renewables. Return excess energy to the grid. Plant deciduous trees: summer shade; winter sun.
5. Use local, seasonal, organic foods: Cut food travel miles, chemicals and pollution. The same goes for other products. Support locals. Bring bags to shop. Complain about and avoid over packaging.
6. Use public transit; car pool, ride bicycles and walk. Buy greener cars: hybrid, low mileage/No gas guzzlers.
7. Ethical investment. Retirement plans, mortgages, insurance, credit cards and bank accounts are all investments. Invest in green companies. Divest from polluters, arms merchants etc. - Tell them why.
8.Volunteer. Support environmental and charitable groups. Get involved with school boards; local issues.
9. Sustainable tourism. Travel lightly; buy local; be aware: An Average tourist uses a 3rd worlder's 100-day water supply in 24 hours.

The first video on the Links Page is from a solo performance in Brooklyn that was part of a much larger project. Here's a back story from "The Fandango" (Vol. 28; 2005):
The Greyhound Tour was a slice of Americana and a comment on mass transit - with a sense of history and parody thrown in for good measure. History in the tradition of the great blues and rock-a-billy players that traveled by bus (or anyway they could) and a parody of the lavish rock n' roll, country and hip-hop tours and buses of today.
Unbeknownst to Greyhound (Read that: no support), they provided public transport (in an age of solo SUV's) with a driver and built in posse that covered 21 "performances" and 6,293 miles in 45 days - just for the price of a pass.
Just another project way ahead of the curve. Almost immediately after the tour, Greyhound closed 260 bus stations between Seattle and Chicago. It primarily impacts the poor, infirm and elderly, especially in rural America.
The Greyhound Pass expired at midnight along with the last notes of his live radio concert on KFAI, Minneapolis.

I finally saw a copy of "The Lure of the Local" by Lucy Lippard. It was published in 1997, but I had no idea I was included in it:

“But few have yet to discover this vast territory of national water issues, which is outside of most of their experiences.
There are, of course exceptions, such as Billy Curmano’s heroic and often hilarious swim down the entire Mississippi as a performance work and environmental statement, accompanied by a deluge of hokey fan club press releases (“As American as Apple Pie, But Better for You!”); at the beginning of the 1996 swimming season, he had swum 1,928 of the 2,500 miles from his home state of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.” – pg. 167

Lucy, here’s your update:
“Alligators…Lightening…and sharks!...Oh,…my! On July 23rd, 1997 at 12:25 p.m., with alligators to the rear, sharks in the bay and a hurricane forming off the coast of Cuba, Billy X. Curmano became the first person in recorded history to swim from the source of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.” – “Selections from Objects” Catalog, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, 1997.
Incidentally, the mayor proclaimed Oct. 4, 1997 “Billy X. Curmano Day” in New Orleans and the New X Art Ensemble played for the “Swim Finale” with some very special guest stars sitting in.

Before and during the long, long swim, I developed a signature piece, "The River Rap". It addresses problems with all the world's waters. It was released on the award winning "Billy X: Solo Set" CD available at CD Baby. The lyrics are on this site and available in a chapbook from Art Works USA.