FUNKUNCLE PROJECT 2002-PRESENT

Funkuncle (2002-present) is a multi media performance piece incorporating writing, film, music art and commerce; spanning the internet, social media and real-world events, interactions and performances. The work concerns itself with the chronicling of the Funkuncle Dynasty, the patriarchal Edward J, Funkuncle, a writer, artist, war veteran and his family, particularly his three sons, Henry P. Funkuncle and Calvin E. Funkuncle and Edward J Funkuncle Jnr.

 

Edward’s diaries were first transcribed in 2001 by a mysterious figure regularly mentioned in the diaries as ‘the kid downstairs' (said to be Ant Keogh) and published in digital form as a interactive website. (Evidently the ‘kid’ has computer skills.) Pre-Facebook, You Tube or even ‘social media’, it used a simple HTML interface making use of ‘buttons’ to create an intuitive jump-through style. 

Presented with a photo of a diary and no written instructions the viewer would simply click on the image which would reveal another image or piece of text elsewhere on the screen sometimes adding further information, other times moving onto a new piece in the ‘diary’. Through the diary we glean information about Funkuncle’s life and history; his ex wife, Rain, who he clearly still has feelings for and various girlfriends, and other friends and characters such as "Big Mike", “Barney’, Mystery Kevin and even "Ricky The Mummified Squirrel". 

 

Edward was born in the Harlem, NY but later moved to Melbourne, Australia taken by his father under controversial circumstances, perhaps what we might term today ‘kidnapping’. Growing to adulthood in Melbourne, Henry soon had two children, boys, Henry then Calvin, before moving to London (where the diaries were transcribed).

 

Henry P. Funkuncle. Henry, the eldest son of Edward, estranged himself from his father when he declined taking on the family business (a spandex company) and instead became a musician. A Folk/Blues/Roots artist, he currently resides in Melbourne and performs and releases original songs and compositions. 

 

Calvin E. Funkuncle. In direct contrast to Henry, Calvin is a serious and controversial businessman who took over his fathers original local spandex company and transformed it into a worldwide, multi disciplined if slightly shadowy corporation (C.F.C) with interests in bio-tech, agriculture, genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals (including the drug Azmov 15), bionics, finance, media and even, allegedly, forays into concepts of time travel. The corporation’s slogan is: Go Forth Go Funkuncle. The nature of the CFC corporation being at odds with his brother Henry’s artistic and ethical values, it is said that the brothers rarely comunicate.

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Websites include the original transcribed diaries from 2002: The Funkuncle Diaries

Henry's website  www.henryfunkuncle.com  -a music/performance site, also his Soundcloud website. Henry is the curator of the online emporium - www.funkuncle.com 

Calvin Funkuncle's CFC corporation website and various social media and Facebook sites.