Fatigued meaninderings and vague insecurities.

So we’re into the process now. My mind is fizzing with ideas but similarly with so many it’s like a blended soup, each idea (or vegetable) is indistinguishable from the next.

Our discussions revolve around anecdotal experiences of Happenings, and I feel a bit left behind having not knowingly experience any. Although, by the loose definition set down by Richard Schechner of Happenings being ‘interdisciplinary’, there was a period in the mid-1990s that the carnival in Totnes was run by what can only be described as Totnes’ alternative community, and as such the events of the carnival spanned a number of different disciplines, age groups, ethnic groups as well as social groups. As a youngster, I was exposed to this in a very interactive way, helping create music, puppets and costumes for the procession at the end of the week (or weekend, I cannot recall how long they lasted.)

My understanding of potential difficulties with audience interaction is presently minimal. There is research for me to do on this matter but I can’t help but feel that no amount of reading will give me a true understanding of the nature of audiences because I feel there is no ‘nature’, every locale is different and should be respected thus. However, I must remember that I pride myself on my interest in improvisation, and although I find there may be merit in assessing the possibilities of an audience reaction, I would like to be able to reassure myself that I would be able to cope in most situations.

I feel like the act in the picture may have proved an interesting example of how to consider the impact an action within a Happening could have on an audience/the public. Plus I like what they are wearing, I feel like it could be enough to provide some sort of framing to the fairly obscure act taking place.

Sorry this update is appearing some days after the experience itself.