References:

Experiment Design: 

Inspired by a workshop with Fossil Fuel Culture and their effective use of guerrilla theatre tactics to create audiences for their art engagements from the people already frequenting that location, I wanted to design an unannounced storytelling installation that requested the audience to participate in a solo writing tour to engage with my writing process.

I wanted to make sure I had enough distance as a researcher to observe reactions or interactions with the storytelling installed at the viewpoint area so I contacted other writers and performers to try out my writing practice and assist me as performers of my stories. The stories I had been writing in relation to the Big Buddha viewpoint would be shared by storytellers installed in the space. These installations would be durational performances, ending after audience members engage in the writing and sharing practice. This engagement would take place unannounced, to help create a magical and unexpected experience for visitors. I began by introducing my collaborators to my writing practice and shared the stories I was considering for the installations.

For the staging of the engagement, the viewpoint area would be used for storytelling installations because of their traditional designation as public spaces for communities to meet and exchange. The spiritual space of the Big Buddha temple area would be positioned as a personal area for writing and touring practice, so as to not disturb or disrespect other practices there with my stories. Thai woven mats were utilized for framing an inviting area for audiences to sit and listen to stories because of their recognizable function here in Thailand for relaxation and meeting in public. Mats would also be positioned near benches and pagodas to help encourage more audiences to join. Signs were used again to invite passers-by to join. This engagement is still being developed and attempted and requires further practice to understand its potential.

Experiment: Magical Realist Art Engagement - Writing and Storytelling at Big Buddha

Monoglyths

By: Jesse Todd

An interactive performance

We are introduced to a silent – stoic – solid – severely slow – sedentary – group of statued specimens. They stand still in poses – symbolic – spiritual – sensual – seductive – spectacular. When approached by an individual or group they will either shrivel/wither in fear – Or – they will slowly morph into a new symbolic pose. – Examine the pose. Examine yr life. – They will also produce something from on them just for you! They are avid traders of traveling and share something with you along this path. But beware they might expect something in return and you don't want to disappoint them. Come back to them with an offer from yourself. Share something only you can with them and pass on the trade.

Recycling Past Writing

Reworking a past public space performance script for this engagement. Instead of storytelling through gesture and pose it would be spoken stories written to spark conversation around the Big Buddha temple viewpoint as a public space. The gift and sharing portion being adapted into performers gifting postcard and touring instructions and asking for a story shared back in return.