Departures
Airports represent the ultimate non-place, a space where temporarily nobody knows me and I know no one else. The airport architecturally and psychologically offers a release from the daily routine entering into a streamline of time and space, with the function of simply getting you from one place to the next. In my final piece I have combined using a live art presence with video and the context has been inspired by film footage I shot of a plane being prepared for take off at Hong Kong airport; which I see as a visual metaphor for my underlying anxiety of being an artist, portraying feelings of not making it, not taking off, and never reaching my destination. I have used the video as the framework for my performance and experimented with editing the material playing with the speed, duration and sequencing of the time line. I have explored actions that are influenced by the video which compliment and disrupt the image. It is my intention to disturb the unfolding of time and to involve the audience dissolving the fourth wall and bringing people directly into the work.
I have used the Cuban song ‘Guantanamera’ in my performance, which played when I was filming at Hong Kong airport although I was unaware of the songs origins although I assumed it maybe Mexican, Spanish or Cuban. The lyrics to the song have different interpretations. However, I am interested in how the words in the chorus are referred to as ‘guajira’ (the Cuban rhythm) a rhythmic structure rather than the words being a literal translation of something. Whilst researching the song I found many versions, even a cover performed by the 1960’s Liverpool band, Jerry & the Pacemakers. I have used ‘Guantanamera’ as it is a cheerful song which reminds me of summer holidays, it is also a trace material from my experience of going to China. In my final MA asessment piece I want to take the audience on a journey, yet leave them with a sense of never being taken anywhere.
Video documentation of performance:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj0yBcJOgLA
Departures performance script
Departure Lounge
People sitting in seats/standing
I come out of door
Place CD player on table
Press play
Start dance with back turned to the audience
Turn and dance singing Guantanamera into fake banana
Get on knees
Close eyes and wink
During music break put leis’s around people’s necks
Continue singing and dancing
Finish with back turned to audience
Stop CD
Turn direct people into the room with plastic bananas
Entering room
I lead people into room
Direct people to seats using bananas
Shut electronic blinds
Play video
I stand behind the audience
Video fades out
I leave the room
Video whites out playing Guantanamera
