“Those who are about to die salute you”

from the Latin “Moritori te selutant”, attributed to prisoners addressing Emperor Claudiu prior to the Naumachia to which they had been fated.

–52 AD

In times of economic difficulty, Roman emperors would host violent spectator sports to placate the masses. The bloodiest and most decadent of these was the NAUMACHIA - prisoners were forced to engage in full-on naval warfare within a flooded Roman amphitheater.  Variations were re-popularized in empires throughout European history, always coinciding with instances of over-indulgence at the brink of financial and societal collapse.

On August 13^th Duke Riley will recreate his own version of Naumachia by flooding one of the former World’s Fair fountains in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.  Art dignitaries representing the Queens Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Bronx Museum of the Arts and El Museo del Barrio will man the ships armed with baguette swords and watermelon cannon balls.  Spectators wearing togas will engage with the performers during the battle, creating an atmosphere similar to the Coliseum.

Crafted from hand-collected Phragmite reeds (an invasive plant found in the Queens region) and materials recovered from the abandoned World’s Fair Ice Skating Rink and trash from the park, the battling vessels will reflect naval styles from various cultures and eras, tying together the theme that political diversion has existed in all times and cultures.

A mandatory toga dress code will be strictly enforced.

Elements from the Naumachia will be included in a solo show at the Museum scheduled to open October 2009.  Duke Riley: Those Who are about to Die Salute You is part of the Launch Pad Artist-in-Residence Program at the Queens Museum of Art.

This event will include one boat built by Jade Townsend, a performance by Lara Allen and pre-game music featuring Hell Bent Hooker.

Directions: 7 train to Mets Stadium/Willets Point.  There will be trolley to the Queens Museum of Art.  Or walk down the boardwalk into the park and follow signs to the Queens Museum of Art (behind the Unisphere).

For additional information please contact: Alberto Magnan or Dara Metz