Hideous Beast is a collaborative effort between two artists, Josh Ippel and Charlie Roderick. Through organizing structured participatory events we attempt to encourage cultural activity outside the bounds of mainstream entertainment and fabricated desire. Critical of the audience as a passive participant, Hideous Beast seeks to coordinate events in which an acknowledged exchange between the event (as entertainment) and the spectator (as collaborator) can generate meanings beyond traditional formalized modes of entertainment. It is our intent as artists and beings in common to shift perceptions of authorship and participation within the realm of constructed entertainment and art generated activities. This might change though.

Contracted Leisure
Hideous Beast will perform a series of contractual exchanges for the Infinite Exchange Gallery. We will design and collect a series of step-by-step manuals that provide instructions for producing a variety of events. In exchange for the “Leisure Library”collection, participants will enter a non-binding contractual agreement with Hideous Beast to coordinate and execute an event, or contribute a guide (found or created) to the series. This contract will be made public in attempt to ensure a less passive exchange between Hideous Beast and the enactment of the contract. Some strategies will include a public announcement at the event as the contract is being presented; photographic documentation (photo, video, eye witness) of the signing and completion of the agreement(s); a list of potential go-to persons in case of emergency (people who might hold participants accountable), all of which will become public via our web site dedicated to the project.