maintenance methods

performance, 2024

a performance interested in group sustained power dynamics, compliance, action, inaction, and how an action begins another — maintenance methods provides audiences with a space to intervene, though each group is instructed not to.

the piece ends when either the performer frees themselves from being strapped to the chair, or if an audience member steps in to assist. the performer is an unreliable collaborator: begging audiences for help and to trust them, while oscillating between multiple voice registers and personalities that suddenly break into song, yell, laugh, and provoke. the performer is  also fixated on insisting others join them in whistling a tune, hoping to indoctrinate some belief that doing so will aid in resolving the scenario.

this group experiment scenario has been carried out so far with three test groups:

group 1 was unanimous in maintaining their contract with the instructions to not intervene. they did not engage with “the combatant” even in subtle acknowledgements. this iteration lasted over an hour until the performer eventually set themselves free.

group 2 opted instead to step in not long after the scenario began. the audience found the situation and character in fatigues comical — laughter was crucial in breaking down the barrier of discomfort and eliciting trust. the performer was assisted in getting themselves out from the chair within twenty minutes.

group 3 also neglected the instructions to not intervene. several members of the audience stepped in to help the performer maintain their balance when moving about in the chair. later, an audience member entrusted their car keys to the performer to assist with cutting themselves loose. in this iteration, the performance lingered on after the performer was freed — who began taunting the audience for trusting them so easily.

“please be advised:

any patrons currently witnessing this demonstration

were informed not to listen to you, should you ask them of something.”

“make yourself comfortable.”

“it is better to not resist and to relax.”

the more you resist, the more you could possibly hurt yourself.”

“we don’t want that.”

“if you need us to change the music, we can do that.”

action + inaction are group activities.