All performance artists are repeatedly asked, “What is performance art?”
The question is both a joy and an aggravation. A joyous opportunity to, once again, search for a savvy-ful description of what is so important to us. And an eye-rolling moment of “not again, how can I possibly deliver an illuminating answer?”
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THUMBNAIL SKETCHES FROM A TINY TOWN— daily social media postings for VISUALEYEZ Performance Festival 2004
“You should apply to Edmonton’s VISUALEYEZ festival,” suggested friends Paul Couillard (Toronto), Kirsten Forkert (Vancouver), and Tagny Duff (Montreal). When I was accepted, they were happy for me, assured me I would have a fabulous time, and also cautioned me it was “a small festival”. Did that mean the city was tiny, the gallery petite, the art scene miniscule? Or did they assume I’d be disappointed by anything less than hundreds of clamouring fans?
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THE BRIDGE
I don’t remember ever being afraid of the bridge.
I could be wrong about this.
I am, after all, a LIFELONG COWARD.
I am afraid of bats, spiders, and snakes. I worry electricity is leaking out from electric sockets. I get seasick on moving docks. Ladders give me anxiety attacks. And don’t get me started about my experiences on airplanes.
So it is pretty stunning that the bridge at the Slough never fazed me.
Performing with Personae: an entrée into psychology and politics
When a performance artist creates a personnae or alter-ego it is very similar to having an imaginary friend as a child.
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Every person believes they are an expert about art
about sex, about sexual representation.
Erotica, pornography.
Censorship.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: Governor-General’s Award Ceremony, Rideau Hall, Ottawa; and, Press Conference TIFF Lightbox, Toronto
Je suis reconnaissante de pouvoir travailler comme artiste au Canada. And very grateful for this award so I can make more art.
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Process-based, research-driven performance using the body as a source of knowledge. Performed for WIA Babble/Babel Festival, Bikersteth Library, Hart House, University of Toronto.
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