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Words, movement and images: my twin brother Stephen. Images are taken from my weekly Skypes with him from his group home. He doesn't speak, and there is little indication of what he is thinking or feeling.
Words, movement and images: my twin brother Stephen. Images are taken from my weekly Skypes with him from his group home. He doesn't speak, and there is little indication of what he is thinking or feeling.
SKYPE Conversation #2
The following six images are stills of a piece performed, entitled SKYPE Conversation #2.
The piece was structured utilizing a camera suspended from a ceiling, focused on a large xerox image of Stephen.
A card was passed out to each audience member. On the front was a phrase or sentence based on my feelings about my one-way conversations with Stephen. On the back were two check boxes: chalk and china marker. Participants were to mark the cards and return them to the docent.
A card was chosen at random and read aloud. The card was then flipped over, and the medium selected.
I would say the phrase or word and then, with either the chalk or marker, write that phrase or word on the print of Stephen, while saying the word or phrase out loud.
I would repeat the reading of the cards and making marks until there were no more cards to read. The curtain would then be drawn and the performance would be over.
Performance images courtesy of B. J. Allen
SKYPE conversation #1
This first performance was conceived as a way to give voice and form to Stephen's disability. A pedestal, ramp and screen were constructed.
A script was written that would be read during the performance (portions of the script were also used in SKYPE Conversation #2). Setting: in a darkened space, the performer, seated in a wheelchair, is wheeled into the space and pulled up a ramp by an assistant (an orderly) wearing a white coat.
After locking the wheelchair in place, the orderly leaves the performer to face the audience in silence. Behind the performer is a screen projecting images of Stephen taken during SKYPE conversations.
After a minute or so the orderly brings the performer a book that contains a narrative of thoughts and feelings.
The performer reads from the script expressing loss, frustration, sadness and hope. The slide presentation continues with SKYPE images playing, one image disolving into the next.
When the narrative is finished, the actor closes the book, is still, then gets up, leaves the script on the wheelchair, and walks down the ramp.
The empty wheelchair, ramp pedestal, and book, with the slide presentation running continuously, become sculptural remnants.
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