A Performance by the Audience

As I researched the intriguing world of performance and live art I found it involves a lot of theory, psychology and philosophy. It gets pretty weird but that is the point a lot of the time. In this case I wanted to address what is socially acceptable to do in a gallery space by asking the audience to perform. The text I placed on the wall was as follows:

 

I know you’re probably wondering ‘Why am I reading this?’ but this is why… You’ve probably had a long day and are tired of walking around this gallery aimlessly looking at things. So why not lie down and relax. Take some deep breaths and just sink into the floor… If you’re still reading this then you probably don’t think the floor is very clean, because I’d already be on the floor if I were you. When are you going to have an excuse for lying on the floor? It’ll be good for you to stop, for a minute or two. I know you’re thinking about it… Come on, become the art and do it for me or at least do it for the sake of doing it. Just lie down. Don’t think about it and relax!

 

When presented to my peers they proceeded to all lie down. The result was slightly unexpected. In an exhibition I would leave pillows and not bother with the tape as this seems to be something that groups of people might be more like to do.

 

 

Live Wire

As one of my favourite pieces from my first semester, this has obvious meaning but is also great technically. The ‘cable’ is made from plasticine and the ties are made of paper and the whole thing is held on the wall by pins. The site for this piece was important and really adds to the fantasy and fairytale feeling of this unexpected living wire. It is a piece to be discovered in an out of the way spot.

 

Environment

Exploring 2 and 3D spaces using the illusions created by light, this piece plays with the imagination. It took a very long time to get the set up right for this and it still needs some work but it is still very interesting. To fully grasp the feeling of this piece you need to watch the video:

 

 

A Piece of an Artist

‘A Piece of an Artist’ explores and examines the studio space of an artist, commenting on the layers of paint and marks made over time that record the process of making art. From a small space, the layers have been separated by colour onto ten separate ‘slides’. Each ‘slide’ is attached to the mechanism, which makes them move in an uncoordinated manner. This piece was never finished properly adding to the character and intrigue; a facination of movement.