Yesterday I was very very very lucky. I went with my friend Rob to see Sarah Small's "TABLEAU VIVANT of the Delirium Constructions- a live exploration of implausible interaction" at B.A.M..
The experience, and it truly was an experience, has left me with an overall desire to CREATE.
Upon entering what could easily be explained as the quintessential chapel... the "audience" quickly began filling up towards the front. Making my way forward having no idea what to expect.... my vision quickly became unobstructed. There it was. The first comparison in my mind went to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel... but this turned out to be so much more.
Each and every human body, some clothed and some unclothed (most unclothed) remained posed over miles of drapery, as though waiting to be painted and waiting to come to life. And that's exactly what happened. Atop of this masterpiece a woman who had been still with all the other bodies, wearing a giant Elizabethan looking gown began to sing... something operatic... something beautiful... something quite transcendental giving the setting. After this... a shift in ever one's pose and three more woman began to sing in such a haunting way it gave me goosebumps.
The exact timeline of what happened and when it happened escapes my mind. There was a point when suddenly all of the "performers" stood and faced the audience and began to slowly breathe in and out... with no sound on the exhaled breath. Just breath. It was at this moment that I could see many of them wiping the tears as they stood into place to face the "audience". The most amazing part for me was when the Elizabethan woman began to sing again in English this time. As she began to sing all the bodies partnered with one another... in the most beautiful poses.... And then I caught the words "only you and me." As I realized what was being sang, wiping the tears from my cheeks and watching what could be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, I realized that two of the couples were holding hands facing each other in non poses. This was because underneath the operatic song... actual wedding vows were being said in one case and renewed in the other... I later found out.
It all concluded with a procession of the bodies; bodies of all shapes, colors, and sizes, into the audience. Most of them were staring into the audience as they processed outward. I was left feeling a part of something bigger and greater than I had expected... as an audience member and as a human being.
Thank you Sarah Small and all who were involved in such an extraordinary work of art and life.
Check out Sarah's website: ContaminateNYC.com
No comments:
Post a Comment