My Thoughts.
Tim Crouch An Oak tree
What is a solo performance?
Do I even understand it myself?
The answer is no… But I’m beginning to…
One interesting thing that I have found while delving into the dark, hollow pit of solo-performance is the complete contrast that occurs within the art form, performances so far have ranged from body-shocking to surreal monologues written around controversial or taboo topics. Well-regarded solo artists such as the late Spalding Grey, who for me was a real insight into creating content that is both interesting and provocative, looking at his work in particular I can see how an active solo artist is able to convey passion both through their performance style and through their overall delivery as a solo artist. Each solo artist has there own agenda, motives and moral lessons they want to convey. For me this is the essence of what makes solo performance one of the most provocative art forms available today.
When looking into my own performance I am constantly looking/thinking do I want to educate,inform or simply entertain. artists like Marina Abramović use the idea of arguably the degrading of bodies or testing the limits of the human body is controversial and often is the leading cause of a non-aware or subjective viewpoints that is against the overall concept that is performance art and the often implied intellectual barrier between the artist and spectator that is created through this format. For me personally I do not think I could explore the limits of the human or (my) body within my own work, as I feel it is a purely subjective albeit provocative art form that craves a reaction or even tragedy to heighten its response…
I would have to say my most influential and respected solo performer/artist is Tim Crouch as when I was fortunate enough to take part in the biggest arts festival in the world, known simply as The Edinburgh International Art’s Festival. (Ed: Fringe.).
My Look at Tim Crouch…
While there I was able to witness Tim Crouch perform in the twentieth anniversary of its original performance at the Traverse theater of his work titled An Oak Tree. This performance for me was a completely new style of performance, performed by arguably the leading expert on his collaboratively written text. The subject matter and delivery style, even the unconventional performance idea of allowing someone to perform on stage, regardless of knowing them and their acting ability or performance capability. Also as a solo performer (I use that term loosely.) I appreciate his performance style, to me it visually/physically captures that of a friendly uncle who has an audience feel they can confide in even trust when being told a deeply traumatic story, even though they are being controlled throughout. Yes they are in a theater however sometimes for a mere moment you forget this and become lost in the disillusion that is An Oak tree.
This is something I hope to explore in my own work and something that in my finished concept will play a huge influential role.