General
Sicht auf das Original is a performance instruction based on YouTube tutorials. In those tutorials experts explain specific actions in videoperformances and in a way, that allows the users to reenact themselves what they watched. This performance tutorial is focused on body art, because it can be understood both as a thematic and art historical starting point of performance art. To establish the performance within the context of YouTube, the projection shows the live transmitted and recorded webcam images in a mock-up.
Application
The application accesses the built in webcam of the computer and displays the captured images in a mock-up of a browser with an openend YouTube window. It can be timed and has been set to 13'. The red YouTube bar at the lower edge of the image indicates just how much time already elapsed. If it reaches the right image border, the performance ends. The application then starts displaying the camera images beforehand transmitted live on to the screen and saved to the hard drive in the background. What could be seen just now is repeated with music.
Part 1 - Introduction
The two performers are doing Yoga asanas on a mattress lying in front of the projection. With it sounds the recording of a conversation, where the two are having a discussion about the aspects of copying within the realms of video and live performances. After 2' they get up and go to the computer standing on a turntable facing the audience. Boris starts the application and greets those present. He then introduces Brigitte as the expert and himself as the test subject. The following chat takes substantial aspects of body art into consideration.
Part 2 - Preparation
The tutorial starts after 6': Both performers are rubbing their hands and from now on focus solely on the camera. They step by step exemplify the mental and physical preparation for a performance. In doing so they are holding photographs and signs with terms into the camera, which for the audience are only visible on the projection. Brigitte then sends Boris out into the room.
Part 3 - Performance
After 8' Brigitte turns the computer to 180°, so that the camera displays Boris in front of the audience in the background of the image. She sits on the stool standing next to the turntable and starts instructing Boris using the camera image. He has no knowledge about the sequence of this part of the performance. Slowly Brigitte directs him up to the point of exhaustion where he can overcome his conventions. Before the application ends, she shows the camera a sign thanking the viewers for watching and inviting to comment.
On screen the reenactment of the performance starts after 15'. Until the sound falls silent Brigitte and Boris are distributing flyer with the link to their YouTube channel to the spectators.
YouTube-channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BrigitteBoris
A montage of the performance can also be watched here.
The German text to part 1 and 2 can be downloaded here.
Tutorial on YouTube (please try at home!):
From and with: Brigitte Dätwyler (concept, production, performance) / Boris Brüderlin (concept, performance)
Programming: Johnny Nia
Music: And One "Love Is A Drug Abuser"
Documentary film of the Performance:
Sicht auf das Original from Brigitte Dätwyler on Vimeo.
Documentary film of the Performance
from October 2010
at Museum fuer Gegenwartskunst, Basel
16.49‘
http://brigittedaetwyler.ch/performance/sicht_auf_das_original
Tutorial channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BrigitteBoris
© Brigitte Dätwyler 2011