Of things in motion and things at rest
in dialogue with Devin King
Marina Abramović, or so the story goes, had once a gun pointed at her during a performance. People then said: "Let’s talk about power, the (male) gaze, and the objectification of the (female) body.” I now say: "Let’s talk about the gun.”
Ron Athey has once cut patterns in the skin of Divinity Fudge so he could imprint paper towels with blood. People then said: "Let’s talk about the fear of AIDS.” I now say: "Let’s talk about the blade.”
Laurie Anderson has once told us that language is a virus. People then said: "Let’s talk about discourse.” I now say: "Let’s talk about microphones.”
Performance happens where you least expect it. It happens even when you’re not there. So stop looking at yourself in the mirror... This is the ecological age and you’re not the only thing ageing. For all things are in motion. And all things sometimes rest.