The intersection of labor and dance is in the efficiency of movement. Anyone who has lifted and carried, worked on assembly lines, moved and shifted, dug or built for a living knows the body knowledge that allows very complex actions to happen without conscious thought, very much like training a dancer’s body. These Body Installations are designed to find that intersection of work and movement.
Log pulling
The simple act of hauling logs is immensely satisfying. The body becomes animal, simple and connected. The mind focused on a single task. Many people have participated in log pulling and it was part of the 2008 Art in Odd Places Festival in New York.
Temptation of Deer
As part of a series to try to convince animals to overcome their natural and well founded fear of humans. Temptation of Deer involves the work of holding salt bricks out in hopes that deer will come and lick them, usually at dusk. After the first five to ten minutes, this strain requires a full body attention.
Skewering
Reminiscent of farmers tacking animal skins to their barns, this action creates an evocative image of violence, nature, and stillness.
The Temptation of Birds
The Temptation of Birds, while similar to the Temptation of Deer, involves hanging from buildings with bird whistles. In the original iteration of this action, the tempters wore street clothes, when this did not help calm the birds, more formal wear was introduced.
The Wheel
Designed and build by sculptor Lawrence LaBianca, the wheel is device which creates labor for no purpose.
ken james 