Collaborators perform as scientists-in-residence at a fictitious lab I constructed at Krowswork Gallery, conducting a variety of experiments which they developed. The performers carried out those experiments during public events, and visitors to the gallery engaged with the performers and assisted them with their experiments. During regular gallery hours the public was welcome to explore the various experiment stations and accumulated material and data on display that was generated during performances. “Extremely rare” objects from the lab’s collections were available for viewing at the ‘lab’ as well.
Structure of the performance
This performance is a construction of a non-threatening, socio-dramatic space that allows for casual relationship between the experience of artistic production and the collective/individual agency. Collaborators answered a post on Facebook that encouraged them to apply to a fictitious science lab residency at Krowswork Gallery in Oakland. Collaborators had to conduct a fictitious research that they developed in the gallery on certain days throughout the month. As the director and the organizer of the project I provided the equipment and any materials they needed to create their experiments. As with many of my projects I set up a constructed situation as a framework in which, through role play, participants have agency in the development of the work. Each collaborator creates her/his own character to perform within the parameters that I assign.
Collaborators: Michael Goodier, Penny Jennings, Melissa Santala, Paul Greyson
Interactive performances were done at Krowswork Gallery, June 2012.
