calendario eventi  :: 

X

12/11/2000

Chiasmus, Mirror, Interaction

Saint Martins College, London

PhD candidate at Central Saint Martins College, thesis title: The identity of the real in relation to the experience and concepts of space

Presentation abstract at Research Centre, Central Saint Martins College, Southampton Row, Holborn, London

title: Chiasmus, Mirror, Interaction: Mirroring, Morning Toilette, BluX.

The evolutionary methodological approach to my research, can be visualised in a diagram where a line (myself working) moves in a space between two parallel lines: one of which represents practice, the other theory. I relate to each of the two intertwining but distinct elements of the research with a different attitude. The experimental- practical side is driven by inspiration through which I find new questions and concepts relating to a particular area of theoretical speculation. The research, therefore, does not evolve following a chronological order " this is synchronic, in the case of the project Mirroring. In this way, a discourse can be left on the side incomplete for a while and then reincorporated into the investigation, after a new approach to the issue has been taken from a different angle. This is the reason why my presentation will give an idea of this evolution through the juxtaposition of practice and theory.

MIRRORING was first presented at the International Symposium 'Performance as Research' at London College of Fashion, November 1999, and again at the conference Exchange 2000 in Bristol, 2-3 November . It is still relevant to this final stage of research, it is a work in progress and constitutes the basis for the subjective approach I have adopted in the investigation. It also represents an overlapping of theory, practice and methodology: the audience's feedback used as data for research is part of the artwork. It is an interactive performance in which I read a few introductory notes and then use my own video camera to video the audience, focus on one particular person and then ask the person to do the same with myself. The result is video material from which stills are taken of both my view of the other and the other's view of myself- some material was presented as poster at the Bristol conference . This can be seen as attempt to see my self as they see myself (Lacan).

MORNING TOILETTE is a work in progress for a video installation, a small portion of which will be shown. In the piece the action of washing the face and apply make up is seen as a ritual in the woman daily routine. To focus on such ordinary act repeated every day in front of the mirror replaced by the camera, make me think about the relationship between myself and the other me that I see mirrored while wearing the musk.

The video BLU shows the artist in an intimate action which was done in front of a camera without spectators. The action of caressing and then scratching the belly symbolises the coexistence of extreme opposite feelings in relation to love.
The written text scrolling relates to the action on the video, while the sound text has opposite meaning. This is to say that a Chiasmatic composition is used : Chiasmus might be called reverse parallelism?, since the second part of a grammatical construction is balanced or paralleled by the first part, only in reverse order. Instead of an A, B structure (e.g., learned unwillingly?) paralleled by another A, B structure (forgotten gladly?), the A, B will be followed by B, A (gladly forgotten?). The 4 terms, in 2 couples, refer to each other. Just three of the terms of the relation are in the work. The forth is represented by the presence of the spectator looking at the video. His/her interest comes into play because of that gap of significance, that he/she fills it with perception.

BluX is the video performance which takes place when it is myself to fill that gap. In relating to the sound text I complete the Chismatic composition. Also the dimensions of space and time at present in a public space relate to the representation on video of the same action happened in a past time and intimate place. This was performed on 1st of June 2000 at Camberwell College London, on 21st of June 2000 as part of the London Biennal and at the screening session at the Conference Exchange 2000, Watershed Centre Bristol, 2 November.

stampa

permanent link