During our morning tea, I wanted to take a quick look at performance art & technology. Specifically artists that use technology as a medium for their performance.
We started with Mike Parr, one of Australia's most infamous artists. Perhaps his most controversial perfromance was "democratic torture" in 2003, his response to the treatment and mandatory detention of aslyum seekers. Parr was wired up for live web cast, and on-line media spectators were able to deliver electric shocks to Parr's body by clicking on their computer mouse. Parr called this "democratic torture", his intention was to demostration how the media-and, specifically, the distancing effects of on-line media-was able to encourage people to inflict real suffering on their fellow humans, particularly when they were able to do so without personal consequences, and without having to be in face-to-face contact with their victim.
I then discussed another Sydney-based performance artist, Barbara Campbell. In a durational piece titled '1001 nights', Campbell created a short text-based multi-media work each night for three years, in response to news stories sourced each day.
Finally, we looked at a recent installation art piece, "Move-me". This is a touring booth, travelling around the world, which audience members are invited to enter. Once inside, they are given direction from various famous choreographers, their performances are video-recorded and posted directly to the website www.move-me.com.