‘Workshop is the active research phase of the performance process. Some artists use workshops to explore processes that will be useful in rehearsals and in making performances’ (Schechner, 2004, p233)
After meeting to discuss ideas for our future performance which we had been inspired for after viewing a range of practitioners, two in particular stood out we decided to look into. The first idea was to try and complete a simple task, in this case a jigsaw puzzle. However, make it more difficult by hindering ourselves through taking away complete use of our hands. This would help us experiment and present to our audience a standard challenge, however, it would become more challenging for us because we would lose the power to use our hands. To start off the experiment we decided to first try and complete a standard 1000 piece puzzle.
(Completing a jigsaw, Taken by Kirsty Jakins 29.10.13)
Within about half an hour we realised even with the use of our hands the puzzle was difficult enough and would be a long process. Seeing how frustrated we all became with the use of our hands and communication, we decided not to pursue this idea any further as we were unsure how to make it more aesthetically pleasing and what performance could be formed from it.
Within the same week, our next experiment was to do with the idea of eating. With such a broad subject we initially came up with the prospect of trying to eat things we in particular don’t like or find difficult to stomach. To look into this idea, we toyed with the element of using the audience to feed us. Then they could give us whatever they chose and if it made us ill they would have to carry on watching and deal with their actions. Therefore, for our first experiment we each brought one food we disliked and one we liked to a table. Two ‘audience’ members who had no idea of our likes and dislikes then picked foods from the table to feed us with. They started by giving us all the same thing, which was sardines. The reactions were diverse, some people disliked the taste but others struggled to actually put it in their mouths. This reemphasised both how variant people’s taste buds are and how the psychological side of actually being able to place something you think you will dislike into your mouth affects everyone differently. These were both idea’s we wanted to look into.
(Food Roulette, Taken by Lauren Watson: 29.10.13)
We discovered that each of us dislike foods that most people eat every day without taking a second thought, such as bananas or milk. If audiences were to feed the group member who disliked one of these foods, but not know they find it hard to stomach it may make for an interesting piece. However, after more discussion and thinking about what a large topic the idea of food and eating is, we decided to further look into other elements to do with food and the rituals of eating. We also need to decide whether we want to push ourselves as individuals in this task, or test the relationship we as humans have with food and eating rituals. Or even how to show if food is for pleasure or fuel. These are a few thoughts we will be looking in to in our next few experiments.
Works Cited
Schechner, R. (2004) Performance Studies: An Introduction. London:Routledge.