Defence Colony Market
at middle crossing, and near the vege shop 6:30pm
Performers: Shibani, Bopana, Shena
Observers: Shena + Shibani
Audience No.: Passersby, fluctuating 3 to 15 at a time
MIRROR EXERCISES
Two sets of mirror exercises - one in the centre lane between the two parks (performers: Bopana & Shibani), and one opposite the vege shop, near the Chemist & Baskin Robins (performers: Shena & Bopana).
The first one got a lot of passersby interest - with people doing double takes, drivers of cars (and rickshaws) craning their necks around to see what was going on, and walkers slowing down their pace to get a good look. There was also a small crowd of fixed viewers - a few drivers, the Bhel Puri and the cigarette (and sheesha!) vendors, and a couple of parking attendants. These people were warm and encouraging in their feedback. MCD Parking Attendant, Amit Mishra, was particularly encouraging, and when his colleague began to ask us to move in order to get cars parked in that area, Mishraji managed to organise things so that we didn't have to move - and told us to "continue playing"! He later told us that he figured that we were "practicing" - but what we were practicing, he couldn't tell! In fact, that is what he told other people who asked him what we were doing ("practice kar rahein hai jee"). One of the drivers thought perhaps we were doing 'asanas' - i.e. yoga.
What was special about this small group of people was the instant warmth and non-judgemental stance that they took to the whole affair. At one point afterwards, when observer Shena was commenting that Shibani and Bopana were so focused that neither of them noticed when a huge rat scuttled under their feet while they were performing (kid you not) - the Bhel Puri vendor came running over from his stand to us and exclaimed "ya! the rat wanted to join in too!" A camaraderie built up, as a result of the shared experience.
The second exercise went a little differently. Shena and Bopana were on a pavement, under bright light, almost like a stage - albeit with a display of medicines and potions as the scenic background! There was a larger, more fixed crowd of onlookers. But, as in Khan Market, most people preferred to watch from a distance, and were not keen to come over and chat with us later. We did ask one security guard and the young staff person at Baskin Robins what they thought of the whole thing - both were too shy to give an answer, though the word 'ajeeb' did come up!
(pics to follow)
nb: The CAMERA - even if just a phone camera - is very intrusive. Shibani suggests something with a zoom lens, with the recordist far away (but then how can we interact and record comments... hmmm... then we will need an Observer AND a Photographer/Videographer... solutions, anyone?)
at middle crossing, and near the vege shop 6:30pm
Performers: Shibani, Bopana, Shena
Observers: Shena + Shibani
Audience No.: Passersby, fluctuating 3 to 15 at a time
MIRROR EXERCISES
The first one got a lot of passersby interest - with people doing double takes, drivers of cars (and rickshaws) craning their necks around to see what was going on, and walkers slowing down their pace to get a good look. There was also a small crowd of fixed viewers - a few drivers, the Bhel Puri and the cigarette (and sheesha!) vendors, and a couple of parking attendants. These people were warm and encouraging in their feedback. MCD Parking Attendant, Amit Mishra, was particularly encouraging, and when his colleague began to ask us to move in order to get cars parked in that area, Mishraji managed to organise things so that we didn't have to move - and told us to "continue playing"! He later told us that he figured that we were "practicing" - but what we were practicing, he couldn't tell! In fact, that is what he told other people who asked him what we were doing ("practice kar rahein hai jee"). One of the drivers thought perhaps we were doing 'asanas' - i.e. yoga.
What was special about this small group of people was the instant warmth and non-judgemental stance that they took to the whole affair. At one point afterwards, when observer Shena was commenting that Shibani and Bopana were so focused that neither of them noticed when a huge rat scuttled under their feet while they were performing (kid you not) - the Bhel Puri vendor came running over from his stand to us and exclaimed "ya! the rat wanted to join in too!" A camaraderie built up, as a result of the shared experience.
 |
| Amit Mishra; protector of performance! |
The second exercise went a little differently. Shena and Bopana were on a pavement, under bright light, almost like a stage - albeit with a display of medicines and potions as the scenic background! There was a larger, more fixed crowd of onlookers. But, as in Khan Market, most people preferred to watch from a distance, and were not keen to come over and chat with us later. We did ask one security guard and the young staff person at Baskin Robins what they thought of the whole thing - both were too shy to give an answer, though the word 'ajeeb' did come up!
(pics to follow)
nb: The CAMERA - even if just a phone camera - is very intrusive. Shibani suggests something with a zoom lens, with the recordist far away (but then how can we interact and record comments... hmmm... then we will need an Observer AND a Photographer/Videographer... solutions, anyone?)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share your thoughts!