On a Metro
Travelling, Hauz Khas - Qutab Minar - Hauz Khas; 7:30pm
Performers: Pali, Rudy, Arushi, Shena
Observers: Shibani
Audience No.: As per travellers - fluctuating 3 to 20
SYNCHRONIZED ACTIONS - SIMPLE NARRATIVE
We used props of Newspapers and Books (Manto; Hindi). The sequence consisted of a series of timed actions (rehearsed, with counts) first with the Newspapers (take out from under arm, open systematically, sad sigh, read, get shocked, lift paper high, only eyes visible over paper - 'scared' eyes darting from side to side... fold paper and put it away), followed by a series of slow movement sequences with the Books (open, read interestedly, lift overhead but continue transfixed to page, look at cover, look at blurb, open and read with more energy and excitement - synchronized - and then flip pages in tandem with each other, look at book fondly, smell it, clasp it to heart).
Our story was simple - we didn't like what we read in the Newspaper, but certainly did like the Book!
This time, the audience did not have to make a decision to stop and watch - as they were already seated or standing around us with nowhere to go - except to get off at their designated stop! People seemed to be interested. One comment was wondering whether they were witnessing a 'Parody'.
At one point, between cycles of the narrative, the performers decided to slowly extend the books forward to the passengers seated opposite. Each of the 'audience passengers' readily accepted the books, and held them while the performers carried on with their sequence with the Newspapers. When it came time to use the Books again, performers simply had to extend their hands to regain their properties, and a very lovely physical and energy exchange was completed, without words, without explanations or analysis!
Photos did not come clear, as the 'venue' was moving (!), so Shibani shot some videos instead.
One idea from Rudy - to carry slips of paper with this blog address to give to people.
Also, we're wondering whether to bow or not, after a performance. We feel we should. As acknowledgement both of our actions, and of the audience's participation in the actions. What thoughts? What does 'bowing' really mean?
Travelling, Hauz Khas - Qutab Minar - Hauz Khas; 7:30pm
Performers: Pali, Rudy, Arushi, Shena
Observers: Shibani
Audience No.: As per travellers - fluctuating 3 to 20
SYNCHRONIZED ACTIONS - SIMPLE NARRATIVE
We used props of Newspapers and Books (Manto; Hindi). The sequence consisted of a series of timed actions (rehearsed, with counts) first with the Newspapers (take out from under arm, open systematically, sad sigh, read, get shocked, lift paper high, only eyes visible over paper - 'scared' eyes darting from side to side... fold paper and put it away), followed by a series of slow movement sequences with the Books (open, read interestedly, lift overhead but continue transfixed to page, look at cover, look at blurb, open and read with more energy and excitement - synchronized - and then flip pages in tandem with each other, look at book fondly, smell it, clasp it to heart).
Our story was simple - we didn't like what we read in the Newspaper, but certainly did like the Book!
This time, the audience did not have to make a decision to stop and watch - as they were already seated or standing around us with nowhere to go - except to get off at their designated stop! People seemed to be interested. One comment was wondering whether they were witnessing a 'Parody'.
At one point, between cycles of the narrative, the performers decided to slowly extend the books forward to the passengers seated opposite. Each of the 'audience passengers' readily accepted the books, and held them while the performers carried on with their sequence with the Newspapers. When it came time to use the Books again, performers simply had to extend their hands to regain their properties, and a very lovely physical and energy exchange was completed, without words, without explanations or analysis!
Photos did not come clear, as the 'venue' was moving (!), so Shibani shot some videos instead.
One idea from Rudy - to carry slips of paper with this blog address to give to people.
Also, we're wondering whether to bow or not, after a performance. We feel we should. As acknowledgement both of our actions, and of the audience's participation in the actions. What thoughts? What does 'bowing' really mean?
A kind of surreal feel to the whole thing. No idea what the audience got out of it - though I would imagine something fun/interesting to relate to friends and family when they get home... and for those who accepted the books for that short while... I wonder... I'd like to see how the same narrative is greeted in some other space...
ReplyDeleteYAY for Arushi joining us! Thank you Arushi ji!
it was awesomesauce! totally fell in love with the moment of handing over the books to the unsure but interested audience. thank you all for including me! it was also pretty cool that we ended up where we had started. kinda literally and metaphorically as well
ReplyDelete:-)
Yes a Bow! i Feel, it's a good way of sharing gratitude and respect for each other's spaces. Also, would give a sense of completion to the experiment/performance, especially, for audiences unaware of such a world existing ( which is a majority in this case) It's like they are experiencing, awe, wonder, amusement, Light,mystery, all in one little snippet, absolutely unexpected! would be nice for them to know, that it comes from a set of magicians/ performers, experimenting, and extending themselves, to spaces within and outside, for a an experience, both for themselves and the audiences.Also, it is soo human, that the experience is available to them too! Then exchange in the form of feedback, would be interesting and the handing over the blog sheets. This feels like a movement....in time. Hope you guys do zillion spaces!!! a bow could also, create a distance, between the audience and you, which might hinder the experience. a tricky one...what kind of a Bow then? well it depends on where the performance is done, may be in some cases you would like to begin and end with a bow:) this experiment, feels soo right! wish i could witness it's mystery closely! Also, a bow wouldn't leave the the audiences unsure about their experience. By the end of it, they would be able to share amongst themselves, the wonder and mystery of their experience...and if you bump into the same people again, and they recognise you, you could simply bow again:) i like the idea of performers, bowing, in gratitude and in respect for themselves , the environment, the exchange experiences. Bow Bow!
ReplyDeletethank you anonymous, whoever you may be. very much appreciate your comment. thinking, adding an indian namaste action to the bow may make it feel more accessible?
ReplyDeletealso, bowing to each other as performers creates a circle of respect.
-shena
I think a bow is a good idea - and I think adding the namaste action is an even better idea. especially in pieces that involve audience participation - like in this one where those men very kindly accepted the books when we gave it to them.. it is important to thank them for their willing participation in the end - and for them to know that we are grateful. But a bow today has somehow lost that sense of gratitude - it sometimes tends to become an egotistical action for the performer - a 'bask in the glory of the applause' or appreciation form the audience as opposed to a genuine action of gratitude toward the audience for investing their time, energy, etc etc. by being there, witnessing and participating - either actively or passively.. Adding the namaste action i feel returns some of that meaning to the action of the bow.
ReplyDeletetx. not sure it's a today phenomenon, it's likely both, and other, meanings existed since performance has! but, yes, the added namaste works best for us here, I think. although, not like it's a rule or anything!
ReplyDelete