David Velasco teaches Adrian Piper’s “Funk Lessons”

15 February 2020

Wherein we prepare to celebrate the divine rhythmic philosophy of
GET DOWN AND PARTY. TOGETHER.

Funk Lessons was an audience-interactive performance staged by Adrian Piper at the University of California in Berkeley, among other locations, between 1982 and 1984. Like the performance, the related video work addresses the ambiguous status of African-American working-class music and dance as serious contributors to American art and culture. In the performance, Adrian Piper taught the audience how to listen—and dance—to funk: they were invited to get down and party together.
David Velasco is Editor-in-Chief of Artforum International Magazine. We were very honored to be allowed to translate this performance with him for the very first time.


Tracklist

James Brown, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (1970 Album Version)
Afrika Bambaataa, The Soulsonic Force, Planet Rock (Original 12" Version)
Patrick Cowley, Do You Wanna Funk? (feat. Sylvester)
Amerie, 1 Thing (A Cappella)
Cheryl Lynn, Got To Be Real
Parliament, Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)
Sly & The Family Stone, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
David Bowie, Fame (2016 Remaster)