Michael Portnoy (born 1971 in Wahington, DC, lives and works in New York City) is a multimedia artist, choreographer, musician, actor. As a director of behavior Michael Portnoy investigates social exchange and the rules of communication and play. This video documents the âabstract gambling at the solid felt table with Dir. of Behavior, Michael Portnoyâ in a secret room of Kunsthalle Basel that took place during the opening of the exhibition âWord Eventâ. Kunsthalle Basel, June 28, 2008.