I decided when creating this piece that I wanted to use stories from real asexuals. I got this idea from reading an asexual perspectives book, and I thought it would appropriate when talking about asexuality as a whole to feature other peoples not just my own. To achieve this, I plan to interview some asexual people I know on the struggles and positives of being asexual and the experiences they have been through. Using these interviews, I will create voiceovers and have other people record their words, so their identities are anonymous. Also, I will be giving my own experiences of my asexuality, and I’m not sure if going to voiceover mine yet.
Research towards my performance
Asexual Research
To create this performance I needed to research into my own asexuality to make this accurate as possible and as real as possible. Below are sources I used to explore this:
- Asexual Visibility Education Network
- Different sources on Youtube
- Asexual Perspectives – Book – Interview with asexual people
- Asexual and Proud – Book – Interviews and historical background
- The Invisible Orientation – Book – Goes over in detail the struggles of asexuals and the history
- The Lonely Ace Of Hearts – Book – History of asexuals
Using these sources it has helped me come to develop my script and where i will move forward. I learnt facts on asexuality through these texts such as the percentage of asexuals alive today and the struggles they have faced. It was interesting to read interviews where i could relate to them and I’m sure this will be included in my performance.
Chris Goode: Research and presentation
Presentation slides:
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
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).
(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.