Blog entry 1
Hi there blog, how’re you doing? I hope you don’t mind but I have a few things to share with you regarding our new project we’ve started.
Today we were given our performance brief. Although perhaps ‘brief’ is a bit of an overstatement as we were given two things that we have been asked to bear in mind:
It is likely to be structured similar to the ‘Happenings’ movement of the late 60s.
Start by watching the music ‘Hair’ and see where we get to.
I feel this is a good approach as it leaves the project open to almost anything. Although it does scare me shitless.
A final thing, which was inherent to almost all Happenings, is that it must be inclusive of our entire ensemble. This does not simply require that we all perform in the same space as such, more that it takes into account the wants, needs, talents and skills of each member and which can then effectively be considered a code of conduct when considering our ideas and how to implement them.
So, out initial task are to compile a set of three lists. First, in a broad sense, what each of us consider as our ‘skills’; second, what each of us would like to do in this project; and finally, what we would unequivocally not like to do in this project or, indeed, ever.
My lists are as follows:
1:
Cooking/Baking
Talking
Snowboarding
Football
Handstands
Laughing
Listening
Carrying stuff
Being friendly
Photograph.
Improvisation
Watching
2:
Any or all of the above
Dancing/Something physical (sweaty)
Singing in a group
Filming
Drinking
3:
Singing alone (unless no one can hear)
Put stuff up my bum
“ “ “ other peoples’ bums.
Shave my head
Remove my clothes - although if it is really necessary I might consider it.
In discussion, some common themes emerge between myself and others in the group, most notably cooking and the bum stuff. Furthermore, there appears to be a consensus that we don’t want to do anything that intends to upset and/or divide anyone. Part of today’s session covers some finer details that the Happenings that occurred in the late 60s tended to be guided by, and one of the main elements sticking with me is the recognition of the indistinct line between life and art. Therefore, as a Happening tends to be an interactive performance, I feel a certain sensitivity needs to be maintained as to whom we will be performing, and any potential tensions that may arise from not only the content of the performance, but also the existence of the performance itself.
Hi there blog, how’re you doing? I hope you don’t mind but I have a few things to share with you regarding our new project we’ve started.
Today we were given our performance brief. Although perhaps ‘brief’ is a bit of an overstatement as we were given two things that we have been asked to bear in mind:
It is likely to be structured similar to the ‘Happenings’ movement of the late 60s.
Start by watching the music ‘Hair’ and see where we get to.
I feel this is a good approach as it leaves the project open to almost anything. Although it does scare me shitless.
A final thing, which was inherent to almost all Happenings, is that it must be inclusive of our entire ensemble. This does not simply require that we all perform in the same space as such, more that it takes into account the wants, needs, talents and skills of each member and which can then effectively be considered a code of conduct when considering our ideas and how to implement them.
So, out initial task are to compile a set of three lists. First, in a broad sense, what each of us consider as our ‘skills’; second, what each of us would like to do in this project; and finally, what we would unequivocally not like to do in this project or, indeed, ever.
My lists are as follows:
1:
Cooking/Baking
Talking
Snowboarding
Football
Handstands
Laughing
Listening
Carrying stuff
Being friendly
Photograph.
Improvisation
Watching
2:
Any or all of the above
Dancing/Something physical (sweaty)
Singing in a group
Filming
Drinking
3:
Singing alone (unless no one can hear)
Put stuff up my bum
“ “ “ other peoples’ bums.
Shave my head
Remove my clothes - although if it is really necessary I might consider it.
In discussion, some common themes emerge between myself and others in the group, most notably cooking and the bum stuff. Furthermore, there appears to be a consensus that we don’t want to do anything that intends to upset and/or divide anyone. Part of today’s session covers some finer details that the Happenings that occurred in the late 60s tended to be guided by, and one of the main elements sticking with me is the recognition of the indistinct line between life and art. Therefore, as a Happening tends to be an interactive performance, I feel a certain sensitivity needs to be maintained as to whom we will be performing, and any potential tensions that may arise from not only the content of the performance, but also the existence of the performance itself.
Here's an interview with Allan Kaprow, repudiator of 'The Happening':
More to come as I asses my musings. Also, as the project progresses, they are likely to become more focused and concise rather than meandering gibberish.
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