February 2018

Performance Creation: February overview

James Reilly

In this post, I am including bullet points of the current ideas I’ve had from learning in seminars and my own research. This will be the first of a series of monthly overviews on my overall progress in this solo performance module.

 

 Themes

  • Asexuality – I am drawn to do a show in this area of the LGBT+ community, as I personally believe not enough knowledge is on the subject. I feel it’s not featured in the media or performance and I would like to potentially change this. To accomplish this, I will research into the history of asexuality and my own personal experiences of being an asexual man. However, this does not mean I aim to make a complete autobiographical show as if we are honest that would be boring to watch.

 

  • Depression – I am interested in exploring how I could present depression differently. Taking a Chris Goode approach to this by making a gentle and potentially humorous look at it could accomplish this. As someone who suffers from mental health issues, I can consider a way of achieving this. I often find myself laughing at myself so, for example, I could take a stand up comedy approach. Its very early days but it could be an interesting approach.

 

  • Adapting a character from a story – I once witnessed a brilliant solo performance adaptation of Oliver where we see Fagin is about to executed for his crimes. This solo performance is one of best pieces of performance I have ever seen and it was a huge inspiration for me to take this module. I could potentially explore the idea of taking a character from a novel or play by putting a spin on this as shown in Hamlet by Crouch.

 

       Techniques

  • Live music – Looping guitar and making songs.
  • Audience participation.
  • How set the seating in consideration of power and emotions.
  • The use of projection.
  • The use of transition.
  • Pacing and structuring the show properly to convey emotion and my purpose.

Chris Goode: Research and presentation

James Reilly

Presentation slides:

Slide02Slide03

Slide05Slide06

Slide08Slide09


 

Notes/research for presentation:

 Chris Goode notes – Attached is a PDF of my presentation research/notes.

 

Videos used:

Key points of interest in Chris Goodes Work

– The use of storytelling in his solo performances and adaptations.

– The use of welcoming the audience when on stage resulting in potentially creating a relaxed atmosphere.

– Proclaiming what is going to happen in the solo performance.

Matt Chewiwie: The none believer of dragons

James Reilly

As a collective of creative people in our first seminar, we focused discussions on what could be classified as art. We would debate if an artist needed to create new work for purpose or if performance/art is explored for fun and discovery. Matt Chewiwie leads on from our discussions and below is his artistic statement.

(Chewiwie, 2008)

Firstly I feel it is important to acknowledge eight seconds into this video Chewiwie goes on to communicate his belief in dragons not being real. I feel it is my duty to represent dragon’s that unfortunately can’t speak. (although that would be impressive, pictures below).

Komodo Dragon (Wearing a hat)
Komodo Dragon
(Wearing a hat)

Although I am making a joking statement about dragons existing in the world. In response to his statement, I do feel this video contradicts the title shown as Chewiwie states in his video.

“But more than an artist I see myself as an entertainer”

 (Chewiwie, 2008) 

Throughout this video Chewiwie displayed separation from what he claims to be whilst portraying confusion of what he really stands for. As an observer it was confusing to know if this was an artist or some man just doing whatever came into his head in the morning. Also, this observation was made by great numbers of the group that felt strongly Matt just didn’t care about the art/entertainment he was creating.

 

However, that being said when we were then shown one of Chewiwie‘s solo performances my perceptions of him changed. It was from then when I started to view him as a creator of interesting work but my views on contradiction didn’t change completely.

The performance of Step Pad Poetry (2008) was an interesting piece to engage with. This performance was unique in its delivery and execution with its simple style and informal approach. It should be noted I didn’t really enjoy his performance but I could acknowledge the use of performance techniques in his piece. Matt established a space to perform with the use of a spotlight providing a focus on the step pad and himself. In addition in his piece Matt explored what seemed to be him examining autobiographical techniques with him informally talking about his life. All this being said I do I agree with two statements from these videos that and I shall take them with me throughout this process.

 

Matt Chewiwie Artistic Statement

“I really just want to be myself, and have a good time”

(Chewiwie, 2008)

 

Step Pad Poetry

“Bring it on”

(Chewiwie, 2008)

 

What I have taken from this

  • Have fun whilst drawing from imagination.
  • Although having fun is important take whatever you are creating seriously or you wont be taken seriously. Even if your show is ridicoulous take the execusion seriously and aspire to have a purpose.