ANT KEOGH
FUNKUNCLE PROJECT. 2002 - PRESENT.
Funkuncle (2002-present) is a multi media performance piece incorporating writing, film, music art and biography; spanning the internet, social media and real-world events, interactions and performances.
The work concerns itself with the chronicling of the Funkuncle Dynasty : patriarch of the family, Edward J. Funkuncle, a writer, artist, and war veteran. Also his family, particularly his three sons, Henry P. Funkuncle and Calvin E. Funkuncle and Edward Funkuncle Jnr.
Edward’s diaries were first transcribed in 2002 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.
Pre-Facebook, You Tube or even ‘social media’, it used a simple HTML interface making use of ‘roll-over 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 wives, Linda and Rain, (who he clearly still has feelings for) and various girlfriends, and other odd friends and characters such as "Big Mike", “Barney’, Mystery Kevin and even "Ricky The Mummified Squirrel".
Edward Snr was born in Harlem, N.Y. but later moved to London, (where the Funkuncle diaries were later transcribed in 2002). Whilst in 1968 his three sons were taken to Australia by his mother under controversial circumstances, perhaps what we might term today ‘kidnapping’.
Henry Funkuncle, estranged from his father when he declined taking on the family business (a spandex company) became a professional though somewhat obscure musician. A Folk/Blues/Roots artist, he usually resides in Melbourne and performs and releases original songs and compositions.
Calvin E. Funkuncle is the eldest son. In direct contrast to Henry, Calvin is a somewhat controversial businessman who took over his fathers original local spandex company and transformed it into a entirely different beast. The worldwide, multi disciplined if slightly shadowy corporation (C.F.C) has interests in bio-tech, agriculture, genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals (including controversial drug Azmov 15), bionics, finance, media and even, allegedly, forays into experiments with 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 communicate.
Edward Jnr is an experimental video and electronic artist who creates most of the work on the website Funkuncle.com. He too is at odds with his brother Henry despite both being musicians. This is said to be due to their clashing musical philosophies: traditional blues vs avant guard electronic music.
Correlated websites include the original diaries transcribed from 2002: The Funkuncle Diaries
Henry's website www.henryfunkuncle.com
Calvin Funkuncle's CFC corporation website and various social media and Facebook sites.
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