Performance Issues

“It will change your life” said Vangelis, the organizer of the “No Borders” dancing project. This sentence along with his martial arts knowledge lured me, a non-dancer, to join. After 3 weeks I can say it has. After only 3 days of intense 7 hours training a day, parts of myself I never knew existed started to move and I began to realize how martial arts training can and should change. To make things even better I discovered a bunch of super talented individuals from around the world, most of whom I actually liked and can now crash on their couches 🙂

Terrified by Joshua and Tomoko's performance!

Terrified by Joshua and Tomoko’s performance!

The last week the group was focused on their final performances which I had no interest to participate in. You see, I realized that dancers try to express themselves through movement (yeah very deep I know) and that I have no desire towards this type of self-expression. I tried, I really did but it’s just not there. For me, there is something too self-absorbed or even self-imposing on “forcing” people to see me move. I don’t feel watching me “dance” can give any value to anyone. I mean, I wouldn’t want to see myself dance so why should others?

Priceless looks from locals. Rahul's street preformance.

Priceless looks from locals. Rahul’s street preformance.

I will admit that watching some of the “real” dancers and performances was valuable to me and even surprisingly enjoyable with moments of brilliance. Iina and Ianthe asked the crowd to participate and edit their work by opening and closing their eyes. Tomoko and Chuck danced with each other through a window separating them. Rahul interacted with shocked and delighted Chinese locals in one of the best street performances I’ve seen. Joshua and Tomoko scared the shit out of me trying to escape from plastic wrap. There were also some great short movies all of which will hopefully go online so you can see for yourself.

Are these moments of brilliance worth the “waste” of time and boredom I felt throughout the rest of the performances, feeling like I was watching people’s sub consciousness flow out in perhaps a therapy of sorts? Can you not have one without the other? I’m not sure I have the answers. And even if I did it would be entirely subjective coming from my ‘barking puppy on speed’, limited attention span.

The Frame!

The Frame!

I didn’t dance but I did contribute two interactive art installations. PostArt (the envelopes some of you created) and “The Frame”, a python program which allows people to put different avatars on their face and exchange their face with others in real time. There wasn’t much of a crowd but the 20 or so locals that came seemed to enjoy it.

Safety not even last!

Safety not even last!

The next day I helped with set up of the final group performance. It’s been a long time since I organized an event and I forgot how much fun it is to climb on ladders and set things up. Especially Chinese flaky ladders.

I’m not entirely sure I have anything smart to say as my final words of self-indulging self-expression. Maybe I’ll end with a question (I’ll be happy for you to answer): “What makes us invest so much time and efforts into putting our ideas and thoughts out there even if no one really wants to listen?”

I think I have a beginning of an answer but you’ll have to read my sci fi book: 0 Point Energy 😉

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