4/13 2:06pm
(please click on the link above for video)
(please click on the link above for video)
This performance was not previously rehearsed. We as a group knew what we wanted to do, but did not know how it would actually sound. I had never brushed my teeth for that long before, much less in front of an audience. It initially felt uncomfortable for me to spit on another human being, however, after the first minute those feeling of discomfort began to fade. If I were to do this again, I would try harder to disconnect from the audience and try not to be swayed by the sounds from the audience. It was very hard to not laugh, because spitting toothpaste on someone is simply ridiculous.
Your performance was very intense, while watching I went through a series of complex emotions. At first I felt amused and intrigued but when you guys kept going I started to feel grossed out and nervous. Then when I realized you two weren’t going to stop until the tube of toothpaste was out I thought it slightly wasteful. I loved that your performance brought me such strong conflicting emotions, I feel like all art should make the viewer feel something and that goes even more so for performance art. I don’t think I necessarily understood your performance but it defiantly made me self reflect, an equally important response I think a viewer should have to performance art. All three of you did an excellent job coming up with the idea and executing it. It felt like all three of you had strong endurance and the fact ben stayed so stoic during the entire performance really added an extra element. I liked that it was so raw and unpracticed it definitely stressed how hard it was to finish to the very end. Good job, it was an amazing experience to be apart of !
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the absurdity of this piece. It was awful and disgusting and I hated it. You did AMAZING. The spitting of the toothpaste on Ben was gross and objectifying; and all three of you had a great amount of focus that made the piece so riveting. Within this heightened style, I knew that Ben was an object, a sink or waste receptacle and I completely accepted it; yet at the same time, because his face was in full view I was horrified and empathized with him. The scent of the toothpaste became sickening, and the way it oozed and fell was super gross. And then the mouthwash! *insert shock emojis here* The mouthwash was super comical in the way that you gargled it. I’m excited to see if you recreate this performance at live art night and how it may change in shape and form. (PS There was this super awesome moment in the beginning where you moved Ben’s body, and idk if it was intentional, but it added to the idea that he was an object and that you had control over his body. Or that he was dead. Anyway, that’s a thing.)
ReplyDeletePhotos, Please --- I thought there was documentation? Such a really fine piece. I loved the sounds and how Ben was the canvas. The scent of the toothpaste was especially wonderful in the room. I agree with above -- what Benjamin said about Ben G. being an object -- one in which you physically moved. I think this piece only needs a few considerations -- timing everything a bit more -- more gargling time. Being very stoic. And having some kind of container for the "mouthwash" or water -- perhaps a glass pitcher would be elegant - one you could pour water from -- make all of it very much like an orchestra piece - very formal.
ReplyDeleteI loved this performance. You three did such a good job keeping a straight face during such a comical performance. I also really enjoyed how you two (Lilly and Genevieve) were the two doing the actions while Ben was receiving it. This seemed like a commentary on gender roles and the way we often perceive power. It was also cool to see the two of you wearing black and Ben in white. It was a very minimalist look. I really liked the idea someone else in the class mentioned of switching the clothing colors so you are wearing white and Ben is wearing black in order to contrast the white of the toothpaste. If you were to re-perform this for the final show night it might be something cool to think about. Also, the smell of the toothpaste was very powerful - I really liked how it slowly started to plague the audience. Great first performance!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Zara. The work definitely referenced very directly the gender roles -- and in ART with a capital A also.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Ben were on the floor - and the two of you higher up like on step stools? The audience might be able to see the "canvas" better? I am not sure, just something to consider. Would like to see it on the live art night!
Agree with Zara. The work definitely referenced very directly the gender roles -- and in ART with a capital A also.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Ben were on the floor - and the two of you higher up like on step stools? The audience might be able to see the "canvas" better? I am not sure, just something to consider. Would like to see it on the live art night!