Rubin Museum of Art
October 30, 2009, NYC
Sarah Silverman + Michael Vannoy Adams

In conjunction with it's current exhibition dedicated to Carl Jung's Red Book, the Rubin Museum of Art is hosting a series of nights where notable personalities are paired with a psychoanalyst to respond to imagery (painted dreamscapes) included in the never before published manuscript of the same name. It's a sort of image association experience and on this particular occasion, we were going to find out if Jung is funny.

Producer of Programming at the RMA, Tim McHenry introduced comedian Sarah Silverman by saying that he did not know why she was there, which is very Jungian in itself. Next on stage was Michael Vannoy Adams, Author and Jungian Analyst who put her to the test.

Whether you interpret one of Jung's mandalas as a "fucked up Easter Egg" as Sarah quickly described or something entirely different, there is no wrong answer. And while on the topic of analysis + behavior, Sarah pointed out that she sees everyone as either a horse, a bird or a muffin. Noting that Mr. Vannoy Adams was definitely a bird. Sarah herself, a horse.

Back on the east coast after completing the taping of her TV show, Sarah is going back into stand up in small venues to "find herself" again. Jung would have admired her bravery. One of her favorite pick up lines, 'we are all molecules', Jung would no doubt have found interesting as well. Especially from a Jewish girl who thinks Jesus is Magic.

Next week, the Documentary Filmmaker, Albert Maysles + Laurie Layton Schapira.


Photo - SHAUN MADER/PatrickMcMullan.com

Tim McHenry, Sarah Silverman and Michael Vannoy Adams wearing white khatas, a gift from the RMA