“Matisse and the Worm”
St. Louis Art Museum
St. Louis, MO | 2024

About the Show

WHOOP DEE DOO traveled to St. Louis to collaborate with the Teen Arts Council at the St Louis Art Museum. Within a span of two weeks, both groups worked together to build an oversized recreation of the Matisse painting Collioure (La Moulade), 1906, while concurrently creating a live variety show to be performed within the “painting” for the public.

Beginning with a series of brainstorms and prototyping of set design/props using cardboard, paper, and paint, WHOOP DEE DOO collaborated with nearly 20 teens to re-envision the renowned Matisse painting, collectively bringing it to life in a multitude of ways. Additionally, we collaborated with the classical Indian dance company Dances of India to reimagine their performance within this “living painting.” WHOOP DEE DOO challenged the teens to propose unique, funny, and unexpected ways for how to alter the dancer’s traditional performances within the context of the living Matisse painting.

From an infestation of worms, to moving quicksand that swallows our performers, every idea was conceived and manifested by this group of amazing teens. Working closely with WHOOP DEE DOO’s Directors, the Teen Arts Council utilized the power of fast & furious collaboration to see their ideas materialize from conception to realization in just a matter of weeks.

WHOOP DEE DOO Artists

Sofia Dixon
Emily Flores
Jaimie Warren

Student Collaborators

Tasharra Winston
Lev Burmeister
Alex Bettencourt
Soren Carroll
Rebecca Yee
Gracie Giles
Malik Whitten
Naya Ford
Suhan Mir

Museum Assistants

Vanessa Schroeder
Taylor Dixon
William Colston
Davonne Newell
Lydia Dankel
Kaylin Chuc

Performers

Dances of India St. Louis
Dancers: Avighna, Renusri, Renu, Ananya, Dhiya, Krisha, Isha

Organized by

The St. Louis Art Museum

Special Thanks

Erica “The Angel” Richard, Associate Educator, Youth and Family Learning
Justice Henderson, 2023-2025 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow
Nartana Premachandra and Asha Premachandra, Dances of India St. Louis
Ken Zinkl, Audio Visual Technician
Gerard McFarland, Fabrication Manager

About the SLAM TEEN ARTS COUNCIL

The Saint Louis Art Museum Teen Arts Council (TAC) is built upon the philosophy that teens are integral in the design and implementation of teen programs at the Museum. The mission of the Teen Arts Council is to be an active, creative, and influential voice in the Museum. TAC members are exposed to many facets of the Museum including our collection and exhibitions and inform teen programming in order to build a greater teen audience at the Saint Louis Art Museum. In addition to planning the annual Young Artists Exhibition, TAC members receive behind-the-scenes Museum experiences, participate in arts workshops, and take field trips to local arts organizations.

Links

Dances of India
The St. Louis Art Museum
The St. Louis Art Museum Teen Arts Council