New art show and film series to explore 'Uncontrollable Urge'

Uncommon Sense

capgras delusion + dorian gray syndrome // puppy pregnancy syndrome + wild dog

If you've ever seen the TLC show My Strange Addiction, then you know people can do some insanely weird stuff. Like collect road kill. Sleep with a blow dryer. Eat couch cushions.

Here's another crazy idea: stop by Uncontrollable Urge, a new art show dedicated to paraphilias, delusions, obsessions, and compulsions. Kailua artist Dana Paresa uses india ink and Bristol paper to create and combine raw caricatures suffering from bizarre syndromes, like Capgras delusion or puppy pregnancy syndrome.

Weird? Totally. Fascinating? Absolutely. As an added brain teaser, Paresa selected three films to screen alongside the exhibit, all showcasing oddities of the spirit and mind.

Ours is already totally blown.

Mysterious Skin Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. (Synopsis) "This film is great because it shows how differently people deal with tragic events. I can't really say without spoiling the film (if you haven't seen it, you've gotta come!), but the two main characters are the way they are because of things out of their control."

Pink Flamingos Thursday, May 16 at 8:15 p.m. (Synopsis) "[Director] John Waters is probably the biggest inspiration for Uncontrollable Urge. Most of the characters in Pink Flamingos do what they desire without judgement, and I think that is the heart of Uncontrollable Urge. Anyone who champions the misfit and social deviancy is good by me."

Beauty is Embarrassing Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. (Synopsis) "This is a great documentary following Wayne White (from Pee-wee's Playhouse and his own fame) and how he's quite obsessed with creating and making, no matter what medium. He's really eccentric and makes for a great subject to follow, plus I needed something that wasn't so much of a downer (compared to Mysterious Skin)."

Meet Paresa at the opening reception for Uncontrollable Urge on Friday, 6:30 p.m., at R&D, 691 Auahi St. The show will be on display in the adjacent ii Gallery, 687 Auahi St., through June 7. Films will be screened at R&D with a $5 suggested donation per film. Full details here.