Planning of  Researching the possibility of adaptation to an aquatic environment

(Working title)

The endurance painting performances consist of a formula; the artist completes a predetermined action and creates a blindfolded brush mark to record the time of that action. The artist continues this cycle and the painting or paintings develop. Various aspects of the paintings are at some level, controlled by the effects and endurance of the artist's body and mind. The amount of marks, the change in tone and the record of time on the finished piece are all connected to the situation and context of the performance.

Set-up / Action:

Please see attached Jpeg with layout of performance area.  I will be attempting to hold my breath under water for as long as possible.  This action will be done specifically by placing my head into a glass tank of water placed toward the viewing area (in the front).  This action will be timed using a stop-watch.  After each attempt I will record the time on the canvas and perform a blindfolded mark with paint or ink.  This process is than repeated until I have become exhausted of the action; that is until I give up.  The end result is the painting which is a non-representational, yet somewhat factual form of documenting my action.

Concept:

As with all my performance works I have chosen an action we can all perform (holding my breath under water).  The theme is not a display of heroics, rather an action of a ‘worker-like’ body completed in such a manner.  This is not an action of bravado, but more to the degree of a science project, a test and or research in a way. This is intended to help focus on the idea of the ‘objective’.

When creating a piece I must address the existence of the art world… this includes all the debates on concept, technique, meaning, etc.  By choosing to create a painting I allow this action to function in the field of fine art as well.  The painting is an object and can be viewed as such, critiqued as such and so forth.  The meaning behind the work is than open to various aspects of interpretation, though by providing the ‘making’ of the painting in the public context I am connecting this process with the understanding of the work.

 In this case I am asked to consider the problems with our environment, global warming and our (as a global community) consistent neglect of an extremely important issue.  I find this neglect absurd; absurd to the point that I rarely even can discuss the matter as of late.  Our continued inability to adapt our behaviors, change our economical processes, control our waste and many more issues have left the future outlook in an extremely ‘dark place’.  One can only wonder how we as humans would bring such a problem upon ourselves.

This idea of “bringing such a problem upon” oneself provides the idea of creating an incompatible situation on purpose.  We know we must change, we have a very good idea of what we must change, but we don’t.

As I willingly performance this ‘absurd’ action of holding my breath, demonstrating my inability to adapt, I can only hope to provide the simplest example of what we as humans are dealing with and heading for; Our need to change and become more responsible with how we treat the things around us.

Specifics:

I will want to video document this action, as I do with all my works.  I am aware that you have stated that intent as well, to use in September.   I would hope that I can have some level of input on the shot, and manner of recording the video.  If not, I would request to use my own photographer as well, to shoot my copy.

The T-shirt of course, will be worn be me during the performance.

Please contact me with any questions and or concerns… I would be more than happy to try to adapt anything you find incompatible.