THE CONVERSATION | PERFORMANCE INSTALLATION

Based on an agreed theme, two audio-visual ensembles will perform an improvised feature (15’ – 25’) based upon the conventions of conversation. It is possible that each team be cross-cultural, or nationally based – it is also possible that more than one performance could take place.

Each two-person ensemble performs at the same time as the other ensemble, thereby creating a large performance installation that has two distinct points of visual focus. Additionally, as in any ensemble practice, the actions and outputs of one of the ensembles will directly influence then behaviour, content and aesthetic of the other ensemble. What follows is a cross-cultural, cross-language conversation in which communication is beyond words and reliant upon the development of an artistic language.

The structure of conversation is used as a starting point for the improvisational framework. The underlying conventions of conversation – (such as the two-way flow of information, and antiphonal and reciprocal nature of dialogue) will be used as improvisational guidelines. As in any conversation, the topic, flow and changing mood is determined by the parties involved.

The core of the concept lies in the use of audio visual improvisation as a method of communication, both within each ‘team’, ‘team-to-team’ and between the 4 performers and the audience. This becomes an interesting cross-cultural exploration as the difficulties found in communication across divergent cultures and languages are explored in the audio-visual realm.

In order to provide immediacy to the work, real time source footage is to be gathered at the scene of the improvisation (such as audio samples and visual ‘grabs’ from the crowd members or surrounding environment). Though this does not have to be the sole source of material for the audio visual conversation, the use of immediate source material will ensure that each subsequent performance is different from previous performances while providing the audience with a sense of involvement in the ‘conversation’.

To be performed at Songzhuang Art Museum, Beijing, China, December 2007.