Meet "Le Provocateur"
My name is Tommy, and I am the face behind Le Society Provocateur. A recent graduate with a masters in History of Design and Curatorial Studies, I have dedicated my life to understanding the very fabric (and canvases, ceramics, and film reels) that have created the connective tissue of time. With a specialization in Euro-American art and design history, theory, and praxis from the late eighteenth century to contemporary, I look forward and beyond the bounds of the Western cannon to see what lies just outside. Bringing memories and secrets to the forefront to confront the issues that history have handed down to us.
My Story
As with anyone interested in history, there always seems to be a place that allows that curiosity to flourish. For me, it was the local music hall. With a history dating back to 1874, this gilded palace is where I grew up falling in love with the architecture and the theatre. As I grew older, the dance lessons, singing classes, and Broadway dreams faded and paled to the interest in the setting, costume, and dramaturgy of the plays presented to me. I grew fascinated with the history surrounding the musicals I loved. When I decided to pursue my Bachelor's degree, I knew the history of art would provide a decent scaffolding for researching the realities underneath the glamourous veneer of stage musicals. However, when I got into my program, a new world of visual arts tantalized me. Always holding to my roots of theatrically-- I found the work of the curator and the actor similar-- a storyteller who needed the deft hand at bringing in an audience and letting them in on a world in miniature. Showing the gears of how society came to be and the lessons humanity has yet to learn has always fascinated me. As I geared up to graduate, my newfound specialties were folkloric traditions, esoteric religions, feminism, and decolonial theory.
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Upon graduating from my Bachelor's program, I headed straight to New York City. I ran toward a program that would cultivate my existing knowledge, garner new information, and allow me to explore new realms of design. Although finding one's footing in the big city can be challenging initially, I kept sidestepping until I found the courage to walk the tightrope. One would be happy to see that everyone you spent your teenage and young adulthood learning about had an academic purpose. Due to the innovative nature of Parsons, I was able to bring together my love of folklore, theatre, film, fashion, and art to guide my academic progress; Graduating with a duel specialization in American visual and popular culture (1865-1956) and European design in the luxury sector (1740-1970).
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Now a graduate, I am here to share all of my interests with you all! Although Le Society Provocateur has seen several iterations, I am proud to share the intersections of art, design, fashion, film, and theatre with you. All tinged with a bit of salaciousness, and the possibility of moving modernity forward, all of the stories I reveal will help you realize humans have always been hilarious, scandalous, and driven a bit toward madness when needed. I am your host. I've designed the menu du jour, the seating arrangement, and the conversation, so sit back and enjoy. I am nothing without an audience, so please pull up a chair. Your name card is seated right next to me.