DOWN UNDER

‘Down under’ was a demonstration against a lost of the illusion that an individual can contribute something meaningful to the rest of the world. Surrounded by 16 speakers that were declaring all different point of views at the same time, I was standing in the middle continuously turning around (mechanically). I reacted on the sound that was most significant from my point of view by using my voice either singing or speaking. Because my focus was dynamic, my vision seemed to be changing dramatically all the time. The performance took place for a hour, while the sound was speeding up. The atmosphere became more and more chaotic and confusing.

Down under was an expression of all the doubts an individual can have. At the same time it visualized the desire to make a statement. I did the performance in the centre of the city of Groningen and in the Bijlmer, Amsterdam. In Groningen the weather conditions were good. The public stayed for a long time, sitting on the speakers or holding the banners. They took the time to unravel the quite complex sound piece.

In Amsterdam it was very cold and windy. This made the performance less communicative. As the performance in Groningen proved to me that an individual could contribute something meaningful to the rest of the world, the performance in Amsterdam emphasized the lost of the illusion.

DOWN UNDER

performance.

Date: 28.09.2003 and 22.01.2004,

Place: De Grote markt, Groningen and Imagine IC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Sound: Elke Uitentuis, Jochum Vrijland

Thanks to: Vera Freudman, Jochum Vrijland, Geert Jonkers, Sanne Venema

Support: Fonds BKVB, Mama Cash foundation