"I have this theory that everyone should be institutionalized," said Ned Schaper, the one-man performance art troupe known as Mat Bevel, in a conversation after Saturday night's show. "So I decided to turn myself into an institution."

That's just the type of crazy, kooky guy Schaper is. Part Max Headroom and part Survival Research Labs, he seems to be on a strange and wonderful journey through our culture and all its ramifications. He recites poetry, sings, dances, and builds fabulou s devices out of Americana and other discarded junk. The result is... almost indescribably weird.

If you wanna be cool these days, you've gotta have a manifesto. Mat Bevel is no exception. Although only pieces of his infamous work have come to light thus far, the sentiments shed a lot of light on the nature of his work.

I suppose his work fits loosely into the category of "performance art," but the spirit seems to come from Tucson locals Doo Rag than famed NEA grant receiver Karen Finley. There's plenty of similar recycling art out there, but Tucson's aesthetic seems to be unique in that it celebrates the process itself rather than the political effect of the final work. Think "Red Meat"... think "Pee Wee's Playhouse."

No, I can't explain it all - but what fun would it be if I could? For a rare treat outside of your normal spectrum of experience, I heartily recommend that you check Bevel out. Tickets are only $6 and there are 8:00 PM shows tomorrow, Saturday, and Sund ay. The Mat Bevel Institute has found a home in the old D.P.C. building on the corner of Sixth St. and Stone. Call 622-0192 for more information.

Other points of reference:

• Negativland--Sampler and tape loop based musical pop art from the Bay Area. Famed for their legal confrontations with the band U2.

• The Residents--The recorded score of the Mat Bevel Orchestra seems to derive a lot from the Dr. Suess-like antics of these eye-ball wearing freaks. They have since moved away from music and into the field of CD-ROM multimedia.

• Craig Baldwin--director extraordinaire. It's tough to find, but "Tribulation 99" is a classic of fo und-footage cinema. He recycles old stock footage and redirects it into what may be the ultimate conspiracy film.

• City of Lost Children--This recent classic relies heavily on junk as art aesthetic, and many of the set designs and props seem loosel y related to Bevel's art.

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