AS IT HAPPENS…. DAY FOUR

     

Day four of As It Happens… saw many more visitors, coming to the Sunday Soirée showcasing our week’s work.  I did four more performances, bringing the total to 28 performances over the four days.  Quite an achievement, I think, but when it was over I had quite a strong sense of anti-climax.  People went their separate ways.  It would have been nice to go for a drink together and unwind.

One thing I liked about the Soirée was there were children there, who saw my performance.  I could hear them laughing sometimes when I was inside the bag; they liked this wriggling, strange creature.  I feel pleased that my work was appreciated by people of all ages, but I’m particularly happy that children responded to it.

 

AS IT HAPPENS…. DAY ONE

Day One of the As It Happens exhibition.  Live art performances by me for 10-15 minutes, every half hour without fail, and whether or not anyone is watching.

The zippy bag works well.  Offers sanctuary for me, to retreat into, and I don’t have to look at the faces of people watching.  Afterwards Yuen said, “It’s interesting how concealment can facilitate expression”.  Yes – it is interesting, and something I will continue to investigate.

It has been a nerve-wracking day.  Feels good to have done it, though.  A milestone.  First time I’ve ever done this kind of work, solo, in front of an audience.

It’s tiring doing the performances.  Intense concentration.  And there are these moments of collapse, when I’m stuck, overcome with fatigue, and/or losing focus.  Having an audience is harder in some ways, but also good because it helps me keep focused.