Performance in the London Underground
Installation + Performance
In the Belly of a Whale // Sneeze
// Sneeze is a mixed media installation and performance piece implemented in the London Underground.
With an umbrella-like head space, it is manifesting as a thin layer of personal space of a commuter embodying indifference and alienation.
The text covering the surface depicts the emotions and liminal experiences in commuting spaces.
Headspace is designed to guide a user's posture to slouch a bit and look down or only see through the textile. It's intended to mimic the behaviour in commuting spaces.
While conducting a series of experiments in commuting spaces, I encountered the active ignorance of commuters. I interpreted it as one of the key components of our behaviours in commuting spaces and spatial practice. Therefore, I decided to reconstruct the experiences to regenerate the problems of ignorance and disconnection. The final design representing alienation also assured a personal space.
Walking around wearing this gear became an act of maintaining the personal area. Meanwhile, I still needed to follow all social consensus like train time, rules, and etiquette. With this irony, ensuing research questioned the boundaries between social and individual self, discipline and spontaneity, and normality and abnormality of commuting. It is a private resistance.
* Photo by Johann Spindler
Research
// Sneeze
Installation + Performance
// Belly
Research + Installation
// Tongue
Installation
// Whale
Digital moving image
//In the Belly of a Whale
Interactive Installation