ON Wednesday Matt is cooking a dinner for eight/nine people at Laurens Tans’ studio. I will document the event.
Julia, My number is 13522864391. Can we talk tonight/today.
Premise>
As the guests eat, three to four seamstresses sew the emotional connections of the table. By the end of the night, it will be difficult to eat I imagine.
The work will be a type of intervention, that aims to elicit more intimate, vulnerable and personal communication, highlighting our interconnectedness.
The documentation will be a mix of wide shots, and close ups, stills and video and audio. I will have a tripod, sound mic and camera. At the end of the night, I will take all the sewn clothing – so people need to make sure they have a jacket or something warm to go home in.
All people involved, guests, people sewing, people helping will be credited, on all documentation.
Guests>
Geoff Raby (Australian Ambassador, whose term finishes last June- he’s remaining in Beijing as entrepreneur)
Shirley (an unusually tall and effervescent Chinese woman-girl, his companion)
Doug Lewis (who you’ve met, a Canadian curator/artist / teacher who’s been in Beijing for 5 years) and his wife
Jean Klimack ( artist / teacher )
Wangling (in finance, she came to the BBQ with her husband, the wine merchant (but he’s not available) neighbours here at 318)
Wu Junyong (artist, neighbours here at 318) TBC
no response yet from Gordon Laurin (who ran the Where Where space) – I had invited him earlier.
Potential Menu – depending on produce. Matt will meet Laurens at 9.30 am on Wednesday.
Chilled sweet corn soup, baby crab, shellfish oil
(Chinese teacups x 8)
Tomato Ceviche – (the stitching starts here)
(Small side plate x 8)
Grilled fish, eggplant, buttermilk dressing
(Will find fish in market on Wednesday)
(Large dinner plates x 8)
Cucumber and Sesame
(Reuse tomato ceviche plates)
Char grilled lamb, green bean, olive, pine nut and mint vinagrette
(Reuse fish plates)
fruit and grilled stone bread
(Large platter)
Equipment>
I will bring all equipment needed for the shoot. I will need a dedicated place in the office to put my laptop to download footage and for recharge.
Seamstresses>
Julia, from Platform China and two friends will be the seamstresses. They will wear black.I have needles and white cotton. I will find some more.
Information for Seamstresses>
One person starts stitching at first – I want there demeanor to be quite serous – objectively tracking the emotional connections – for example, each time someone talks to another guest – the seamstresses should mark this with a stitch between them. I want them to be very careful! (make sure they don’t stab anyone with a needle). By the third course, all people will be stitching quite fast. It would be good not to look at the camera, and not to address the guests.
Only guests top, outer layers are to be sewn together. (jacket or outer shirt).
Time>
We will meet at 6pm at Laurens Tan Studio. What would viki, julia, etc like to eat? Shall julia, viki, etc eat then or before they arrive? Matt won’t be able to cook for every one – so let me know if we need to get some takeaway food or something.
We will be briefing the guests around 6.30 – 6.45pm, then starting dinner at 7pm. Matt will be starting with soup. We will then start the stitching on the second course, around 7.15 pm. We imagine it would end around 8.15 or so.
Pablo>
Linda, Feabes sister will look after Pablo if he needs it.
Serving Food
can Viki help matt serve the food and clear dishes?
Directions> for Laurens Tan’s Studio. See attachment.
