Indecent Exposure

When the words “indecent” and “exposure” are paired together, it’s only natural for one to feel a little squirmy. So when I sat down last week to meet local artist Felicity Artemis of a one-woman act entitled Indecent Exposure, I had my reservations.

However, rather than the eccentric, naked, heavy metal rocker I expected, I was met by a friendly, eager woman with wild, curly hair and a handshake just firm enough to be considered strong. She radiated sweetness and an air of wisdom. So what, I thought to myself, could her explicitly named show be about?

The show is about giving people a perspective from her “bird’s eye view” of the difference between what is considered decent and what’s considered obscene in our society, she said.

“Breasts not bombs” is a mantra that she credits to an old friend and uses often. The point she makes is that bombs seem truly obscene when compared to breasts, a part of the female body that will earn a movie an R rating.

When on stage, Felicity leaves all inhibitions elsewhere. Her act includes elements of spoken-word poetry, music, dance, props, video clips and a little crowd involvement, which is optional and nothing you’d have to get out of your seat for. The aim of Felicity’s show, she said, is to get people thinking-to help people get their priorities in order-and she does so in her very unconventional way.

“I use outrageous antics in order to shake people up. I like to move people out of their comfort zone, but I do it in a gentle way,” she said. Felicity said she likes to get people in a new mindset where they’re better able to broaden their viewpoints.

Felicity’s material is deeply rooted in the political. She takes a radical stance on rejecting consumerism altogether and she’s openly, but not aggressively, feminist. Her performance is humorous and accessible, but, like most political stances, appeals greatest to those already on board with her ideas. Her message is nothing your right-wing, conservative grandma is going to go for, but it’s something a progressive college student could consider, if not fall for completely.

She said her main goal is to popularize the idea of transforming America’s reliance on consumerism so that it stops fueling the harmful institutions that rely upon it. An example of such an institution, as she explains in her show, is a national foreign policy that works by exploiting other countries that are disenfranchised. She claims that the U.S. government is essentially pro-genocide. (Not here, of course, but outside the motherland.)

“The power to change our foreign policy is in the hands of the consumer and corporations,” she said. “It’s a rude awakening for people.”

While her subject matter can seem pretty bleak at times, Felicity puts a lot of effort into sharing her hopeful attitude. She really tries to inspire people to be a part of what she sees as the solution.

“My show is uplifting,” she said. “Hope is one of the most important resources we have, or else you’ll fall into a place of despair.”

Felicity is a native of California, but spent seven years living in Hawaii before making the move to Portland about nine months ago.

“This feels like home to me more than any place I’ve been,” she said.

The main reason she moved to Portland was to launch her work. “They want the things I’m saying to get out.” Felicity said about many of the people she’s met here. Her favorite part of delivering her message through performance, she said, is that she gets the opportunity to affect people. Making people laugh is always an objective, too.

“It feels good to know I inspire deep emotional feeling in people,” Felicity said.

Felicity recently performed for an enthusiastic crowd of about 50 at Portland State’s Lincoln Hall on Sat. April 14. She often frequents bookstores and coffee houses in the Portland area with her show, including Laughing Horse Books, In Other Words Books and a coffee shop called the Haven, all in Southeast. She performs next at Muddy Waters Coffeehouse on Southeast Belmont Street at 8 p.m. on April 28. For more information on upcoming shows visit www.felicityartemis.com.