Overview
The performance begins up-stream with two performers inflating an embryo-like cocoon. Once the craft is fully inflated the performers shed their clothes, assist each other in entering the cocoon, a voyage throughout the current of the river.
In the tight confines of the craft and turbulent waters of the channel the success and safety of the journey is possible only so long as there is communication and equilibrium between the performers. The fragile and intimate environment within the cocoon requires complete trust and coordination, the smallest movements and decisions can jeopardize the passage of the ship. In this way “Shared Passage” explores the notion of vulnerability as a shared responsibility in a relationship.
Here the Rhine River, its currents , the way the city dynamics interacts with the performance is a metaphor for life and the craft the relationship’s microcosm.
The journey will be carefully documented with video as well as medium and large format photographs. The photographs as well as the video will be cheerfully planned and will become the visual poetic testimony of the voyage.
“Shared Passage” is a site specific project therefore while in Basel I intend to cheerfully study the territory both form a visual stand point and from a functional stand point. I will need to explore the natural landscape, people interaction with the river, document the river currents and river traffic. Some of the research will be using traditional research tools such video, photography, charts and digital data. Some however might be taking the form of small lend-art intervention or performance art piece, depending of the nature of the space I’m interacting.
Finally all the material collected will be integrated in the creative process for the final performance and steer the final execution of the project.
The cocoon itself will be built of a multi-layered transparent carbon-fiber material called 3DL which is commonly used for sail making. The use of this material allows the viewer to catch partial glimpses through the cell-like surface into the performers intimate space. Fortunately I have already received and begun working with a large donation of 3DL material acquired via contacts I made North East Sails USA while working as a sail maker.
For more information on 3DL please visit the following links:
http://www.northsails.com/north_america/Racing_Sails/3dl_technology.html
http://www.northsails.com/north_america/Racing_Sails/How3DLIsMade.htm
