Last fall, several billboards in Hattiesburg and bulletin boards on the Southern Miss campus displayed a striking poster featuring an unusual figure holding a puppet, announcing an event: “Mr. Alien, Movie + Puppet Show @ Fat Cat, Oct 4.” This was only a glimpse into the eccentric world of Mr. Alien, created by Jed. Over the months, Jed meticulously crafted a narrative and persona that perplexed and intrigued Hattiesburg locals, who had witnessed his ubiquitous presence around town.
A self-proclaimed spiritual visionary, Jed’s unique artistic project centers around the enigmatic character of Mr. Alien. Jed's journey began with humble beginnings, as he navigated the daily grind of odd jobs, including working as a house cleaner, where he claims to have found inspiration in the "layers of dust" that looked like "layers of sedimentary rock" and the "whole Galaxy" within the vacuum cleaner.
“I started to see a whole Galaxy within this trash,” Jed recounts. “And then this kind of started my inspiration and redeeming trash and the art piece.”
It was during this time that Jed claims to have encountered an otherworldly being – Mr. Alien – who imparted upon him a divine purpose:
“To use art and storytelling as a means of transcending the boundaries of the physical world,” Jed said.
Armed with this revelation, Jed set out to craft art that weaves together his passions for performance, music, and the mystical. He started small, sharing glimpses of his films on Instagram (@mr.alien_not_jed), which helped him build a dedicated following of curious onlookers.
As Jed's artistic vision has evolved, so has the complexity and depth of his narratives. Themes of inter-dimensional travel, the power of love, and the importance of embracing one's inner child are woven throughout his work, creating a culmination of universal truths that resonate with diverse audiences. In his recent production at Fat Cat, Jed explored the fraught relationship between humans and extraterrestrials, using it as a metaphor for the divisive forces that plague society.
“In a way it's a metaphor because you know how the [show] is,” Jed explained. “It starts off with an alien and then the counter protester who hates aliens, like they see an alien dude dancing around being a stripper. But then we see this guy who's anti. He hates it all. He's counter protesting and he's telling people that aliens and humans having babies is sick. You realize this is a result of internalized racism and xenophobia as the show goes on, and colonialism that created generational trauma."
The physical and emotional toll of these immersive experiences was intense. Jed reveals that the Fat Cat show was intended to be the last in his current series.
“There's also a lot of physical energy rehearsal energy,” Jed explained. “Sometimes, I stay up 36 hours. But if the show is good, then it's worth it.”
Jed’s artistic inspirations are as eclectic as his work, drawing from the gritty gangster films of John Woo and the timeless appeal of Michael Jackson’s music. His vision extends far beyond a simple sequel. He dreams of taking his work to the international stage, seeking out collaborations that could elevate his artistic vision to new heights.
For now, Jed invites the community to engage with his work through his online merchandise shop, where fans can adopt the "aliens" from his home planet and support his artistic endeavors. He is quick to acknowledge the support of the Hattiesburg community and of his closest collaborators, expressing gratitude for his best friends Lil Ricky, Lil Siddy, and Matt, the theater co-director and choreographer. As he looks towards the future, Jed offers a final message of hope and inspiration.
“Remember to always believe in love when your inner child,” he said. “And be loyal to your friends and believe in romance too. Always remember that you can be a hero with love."
