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Our Carcinogens



As my first performance comes to an end, I am intrigued by how much I enjoy my work. I usually don't fully love the art I create. The self-doubt is always really prominent within my critique of my own work. However, I believe this piece to be a simple representation of a complex idea in a manner which causes the audience to think. That's all I can ask.

During my critique period, Steven had suggested that my list of carcinogens get longer and scarier. This was an interesting idea that could have changed the meaning of my piece. But I decided to stay with my simple list for 2 reasons;
1) It is very easy to make even the safest sounding materials sound scary. For example, dihydrogen monoxide sounds scary to anyone unfamiliar with chemistry. But it is simply water. I felt that if I began listing off complex chemical names, that the story I was telling would change drastically. It would become a commentary on how easily the public can be fooled, rather than how awful the public is to their own bodies.
2) I also felt that adding more complex names would remove the simplicity of this performance. I wanted to remain simple, and chemical names are not simple. This performance should be accessible, and I worried that with more complex names, that would become lost.



I still deeply appreciated the feedback I received from my classmates in regards to this piece. I didn't know that I was working with such a layered and intricate performance, and I am astonished at how much simple action can create complex concepts. Performance art truly is a medium like no other that has the power to represent the world, when used correctly.


Comments

  1. sandyApril 29, 2018 at 7:21 AM

    Cassie. This work is a great starting point. It is political and it is something you care about. I was thinking about doing this live with several performers -- all dressed the same -- like robots sharpening pencils and letting the shavings drop on white paper. Using voices. And I wonder if you could have a small chorus (in addition) with another sound instrument -- ? - not sure what -- reciting the litany of ingredients in a product -- food? or ? Something to think about for Live Art night...

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