DONNAHEE, Curtis
Canada
Contemporary Bachelor Machine
Friday August 1 to Monday August 11
vernissage Wednesday August 6 8 pm
:JAWA:bot:Machines That Perform RANT Saturday August 9 11 pm
165 John St, 3rd floor (just north of Queen St W)
Curated by the JAWA Collective as part of :JAWA:bot:Machines That Perform
Curtis Donnahee‘s performance work has been concerned with developing a direct form of communication where artworks are experienced rather than distantly appreciated. There are several ways in which he attempts to create a situation where there is an audience that experiences:
1. The use of mechanical sculpture in performance can allow for audience participation, or can place them in the position of empathetic understanding of the enduring body.
2. The body is placed is in a vulnerable position of threat, where physical acts to the body are tangible metaphors for deeper issues and referents for emotional pain.
3. Limiting the number of participants permitted to see the performance at one time: for example in December 1, 1995 a darkened waiting room was constructed where participants were removed from exposure to excess information while waiting to experience the performance.