UNTITLED CONVERSATONS: 1, 2, 3... (performance)

So, two Saturdays ago we presented UNTITLED CONVERSATIONS: 1, 2, 3... Marie Collins, Jess Hall, and Laurie Parsons were our intrepid performers. This was not just their first time presenting such intimate and participatory work, but it was also the first time they engaged in a duration activity of this kind. They were at it for over an hour and 15 minutes!

UNTITLED CONVERSATION 1:

Instructions: Choose a number between 1 and 10. Put the earphones on. Sit down at the table. Press play. Ring the bell. Enjoy! This was an intense exchange between performer an audience member. Placed within a public setting, they both shared a charged and magical moment, and looking deeply into each other's eyes, the performer wrote a stream of consciousness based on the impressions received from the audience member. At the end of the exchange, after putting on the blindfold again, the performer handed this text over in a sealed envelope. The experience was largely shaped by the qualities brought to the table by the audience member, as well as the music track they would have unknowingly chosen.

UNTITLED CONVERSATION 2:

Instructions: Walk in, alone. In a quite room, the performer faced a small mirror placed on an easel. The audience members essentially received no instructions. A red line of tape on the floor suggested an area that should not be stepped into, other than that, they had to work out the mechanics of the engagement by themselves. The performer would make eye contact with the audience member and, without speaking a word out loud, they attempted to communicate. Anybody who was not skilled at lip-reading would have found this to be a very frustrating experience. At the same time, the audience members would often talk out loud, drawing attention to their own voices.

UNTITLED CONVERSATION 3:

Instructions: No overt ones whatsoever. A performer sits on a chair in a public place, hiding behind a 'mask'. No words are spoken, only glances are exchanged. In this way the performer beckons over an unsuspecting audience member and invites them to sit down and hide behind another 'mask'. A whispered conversation ensues, at times coquettish at times coy, at times warm at times cold. As they talk, both are observed by other members of the public and, at points, 'perform' for them a playful dance of peekaboo.

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We did have some notebooks for the audience to write their feedback.... And the organisers of the event did give out some forms as well. So, as soon as we have had a meeting with our fantastic performers to debrief, I will write a little something about how the pieces went. So, watch this space.

Pablo