Speech experiment and Mirror piece (during my Island residency in May)
I would like to just discuss the reason behind my work. Franko had asked me some questions in regards to my practice. I would like to put some answers on the blog to be challenged by you. Some of the answers don't have enough umpf but that's the reason why I want to put them on here.
It becomes now very clear that my work is based on participatory performances - possibly one 2 one at a later stage. I realised that my work is always going back to being a kind of installation, where people go in and are encountered with an experience.
One work I was during that residency was the Mirror piece: people were invited to sit in front of a mirror and stare at themselves for five minutes - without moving the head. Behind the mirror was a camera situated. Participants were shown the camera so they were fully aware that they were being filmed.
The video was then edited which showed the sitters 2mins each staring into the camera and blending out when they were told that the mins are over. The video has no sound. It was projected during an exhibition against the blank white wall in a naturally lit space so it looked quite faint on the wall.




The other piece I experimented with was the Speech piece:
Participants were not briefed about the nature of the piece. Each person was individually lead into the space by the artist, onto the platform and into the spot light (a camera woman was filming the event). "How would you like to

be called?" The artist asked the participant, who was then introduced to the audience by their chosen name. The artist then turned to the participant on the platform and explained loudly that he/she would have to answer five questions, could though refuse to answer at any stage - but would have to provide in the end answers to five questions. After having answered five questions, the participant was then lead down from the stage to a chair to sit down within the audience and take on the role of the interrogator. The next participant who had been waiting outside was then lead in and up to the platform into the spotlight to go through the same ritual.

These were the two pieces I was working on and now I am at a stage where I need to crack down to the nitty gritty bit. They both were successful in their way they were set up and in regards to the wanted impact. Although both pieces had very simple set-ups they were to some extend irritating and challenging for some more than others.
I will post the questions separately later on today or tomorrow to give the work some space.
Would be great to get some feedback on your thougths - would have been of course great if you guys would have had the chance to experience them yourselves.
:-)
Biggi