gun fight was a performance consisting of the two performers (ethan martin & su lee) and their boxes. the two performers shook hands, bowed, then returned to their boxes to sit inside of them while an audio track of gunshots played. the boxes then turned and revealed the bullet holes in the back of the boxes. at the end of the piece, the two performers bowed to the audience and left the boxes where they were.
This was a very creative idea. Two boxes pretending to be shot at. However, I felt confused and scared while watching this performance because the gun shots were loud, but yet nothing was happening to the boxes. They barely moved which didn't quite get the point across. What would have been over the top is if the boxes moved closer and closer to the audience, then when the shots stop and the holes are revealed. Maybe this wasn't your message, but the audience reaction didn't match your original "funny" theme. It's interesting that it took the opposite affect.
ReplyDeleteThe gun fight to me was neither serious (as the class analyzed) nor comical (as the performers intended it to be). I like to think that it was just an interpretation of the sound played, one perspective separate from many. No one tone really resounded for me. The respectful greeting reminded me of two neutral parties understanding that they were there to accomplish a specific task. The noise itself, resounding and echoing, did not sound like a violent one to me. The random spurts of spitfire made me think of target practice, and the echo of bullets hitting the floor seem to suggest the shooter in an empty room. Since no violent images came to mind, and since the boxes did not shake too tremulously, and because the performers met on equal terms, I happened to think that the gunfire was planned, something controlled. Even the entrance post-bullet holes was calm. It was as if what happened between the two parties was an understood outcome, whether expected or not. It was a somewhat unsettling but deep piece.
ReplyDeleteOverall I really enjoyed this performance. I thought they way the pair started and ended the performance fit perfectly. When they shook hands and bowed it reminded me of the old school Japanese sword fights. At the beginning of this performance I was uncertain what was going to happen which made me more interested in the piece. Once the music started all I could hear was popping noises. It took me only a minute to realize that they were gunshots and that u could hear the shells of the guns hitting the floor, which made it seem like it was happening right in the room. At the end of the performance when they turned around the boxes I think it was a perfect ending because it looked like the performers had actually been in a gun fight. I really enjoyed this performance and I believe it took a lot of coordination and time to come up with this piece.
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