Final Project

Eight Glasses And A Screw from Kaitlyn Gilham on Vimeo.

Cardboard Automata

Here is the cardboard automata I constructed. It's mostly functional, except the occasional moment when a paper clip catches a sheet of paper.

"Frigid": Documentation

For my six-hour performance, I decided to stay outdoors from 11:15 am until 5:15 pm on Tuesday, 9 February. I documented the experience through photos taken throughout my time outside. I wish I could say that I succeeded in remaining outdoors, but, alas, a snowstorm decided to roll in at around 4 pm, at which time I sought refuge in a nearby dorm. Until that time, I walked around campus, finding places to sit and study or just talk to people. In fact, my six-hour performance opened with an epic outdoor picnic on the lawn in front of Powell Campus Center with four of my friends.

It definitely grew colder as the time wore on, but I held out. I had a lot of help from my friends: someone gave me hand- and foot-warmers, another friend bought me a coffee, and others amused themselves with spending time with me as long as they wished to freeze. I'm satisfied with my experience in being able to remain outdoors for such a long time in 15-degree weather.

The reasoning behind this piece is to show that we take for granted that, at this time of year, we go indoors for most of what we do. We barely spend time outside. Some people don't have that luxury and have no "indoors" to go back to, as we do. They need to plan ahead in order to stay warm and be inventive as to how they accomplish everyday tasks. It was a challenge to manage things such as reading and writing while my fingers were frozen in my gloves. It was also a challenge spending almost an hour sitting on the cold ground eating lunch. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the turnout of my endurance performance.

Special thanks to Derek Georgia and LeeAnn Tindell for taking photos during my performance.

Frigid

On Tuesday, the 9th of February, I will endure 6 hours, beginning at 11:15 am and ending at 5:15 pm, outside. I will do everything outside, including schoolwork, painting, as well as eating. I will be occupied the entire time. I am not allowed to go inside. I will not remain in a particular spot on campus, but rather I will occupy various outdoor areas throughout my six hours. Some people are not able to go inside, not even at this time of year. We take for granted that we have warm buildings in which we can always spend time.

Performance: Control

Control from Kaitlyn Gilham on Vimeo.

Our piece is symbolic of having control of the forces that are put upon you, such as stress. By remaining in control of any negative force in your life it is much easer to release yourself from it. The girl being wrapped in the register tape is symbolic of a situation that will surround her, but her control over the situation allows her to be able to escape it.

Sonic Postcard

Here's my sonic postcard:

The link to this sound clip is also on Vimeo:

http://vimeo.com/9055226

Remix.

Sonic Postcard Remix from Kaitlyn Gilham on Vimeo.

A Personal Record Of Time

I kept time by recording the number of complaints made by people I met throughout my day:

The number of complaints were the worst right before lunch and dinner. We are hungry people. Typically the complaints focused on empty stomachs and/or trifling irrelevant matters. Because of hunger. Complaints were few or nonexistent as we ate... both because we were eating and because we were satisfied. The time surrounding classes also held scattered complaints regarding various assignments and work. During class, complaints were usually silent: an eyeball roll, an exasperated look, a raised eyebrow, the sharing of a frown. The occasional murmur interrupted a droning lecture. Complains almost completely stopped as, in the evening I was able to spend time with my friends. The following morning before foundations, the only complaints were the ones I was thinking, since my roommate and I were both too tired to speak. Then foundations began.