New Genre Public Art
Hair, after skin is the most important signifier. Interweave - The Hair Project set the stage for dynamic and spontaneous interaction were anyone could examine a subjects hair, for 15 minute intervals.
In this first installation, the project was set up at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Dance Africa street fair, held every year on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. This piece was designed for easy installation. Three chairs were set up on the street with the words "Sit Here To Participate" on the front of the chairs and "Touch My Hair" on the back. The performance started with the artist siting in one chair backing the audience, with the words “Touch My Hair” visible. The other two chairs were empty, and were inviting the audience to sit. The audience is at once encouraged to touch the artist's hair and to sit and become the object of investigation. There was a simple stand outlining the directions so there was no need to talk.
Interweave - The Hair Project attempts to break down cultural barriers by creating a safe space to explore our perceived differences. Our hair is at once public and private. It is publicly displayed, but the very intimate caress of hair is usually reserved for close friends and relatives. This cultural truism is exploited here; not to critic it's relevance, but to offer a chance to adjust our perceptions. With the unusual opportunity to touch, in a protected environment, we can redefine old perceived ideas, and perhaps draw different conclusions about the people around us. |
This action was at once intimate and sensual; threatening and inauspicious. On one level, just touching a strangers hair can be an intimidating gesture. On an even deeper level, persons submitting to the object of investigation themselves become even more vulnerable.
The space created with this project remains protected I believe as long as we can recognize the elements the link us together, that illustrate how we are the same. Through our hair the project connects our lives, and stories. It shifts our literal and physical perspectives, while affirming our similarities and the core-self linking us together.
This piece was performed on May 26th 2007 in New York City, USA and June 6th in Zhengzhou City, P.R. of CHINA. You can view video from the performance in NY City on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ArtConnex |
