Space/Materiality, Performative Object: Time, Site, Relation
Title: Reflected on Your Day
Date: 12/12/18
Size: 12 x 6 x 18
Materials: White yarn, Red yarn, Tan yarn, screw nails, styrofoam, circular mirror
Location: Union Square, inside the winter market, near the entrance of the station
Date: 12/12/18
Duration: 15 minutes
Write in 1-2 sentences describing how you performed your object:
I took off my winter jacket and put the project on my body. It was connected to me by two way, I hung it over my shoulders by the knit straps I attached to the object and my hands connected inside the hollow space of the box where there was a knit pouch to cover my hands and the interactor. I took on the stairs next to the Christmas trees being sold. I was up on a pedestal and made myself obvious by the people walking by. I smiled and waited for strangers to walk up to me and then I proceeded to ask if they would participate in my project. I wore warm colors because I wanted to seem welcoming and friendly to talk to.
Written Reflection:
The social/ecological concern I chose was how external factors/people can affect a person’s day and life. It is about the interaction/communication between people. How people treat others that can save them or be destructive to them. The main reason why I chose this issue was that people don’t realize you can save anyone from a bad day and change the course of their day. In New York City, it is a fast-paced city that no one has time for themselves and can be a hostile environment.
I performed my object in union square inside the winter market. I was able to stand on the stairs and that gave me a bit more attention from others. I chose that site for a personal reason. I commute to school every single day and I encounter racist or rude individuals from time to time at Union Sq. That affects how I start my day, how I end my day and it continues to affect me in a negative way. I chose to interact with the issue at the place where I have encountered negative people.
I knitted a long red strap and connected it to the object to hang it from my neck and shoulders. It has a knitted rectangle pouch on the inside of the hollow space where my hand and a strangers hand can go inside. It was about connecting with another person spiritually. I wanted to be a support system, be able to lift up their moods and be a positive force in their day. Once my hand and a stranger’s hand was connected inside the hollow space under the pouch, I said words of encouragement while they looked at me and at themselves. I said, “I believe in you, you are worth it, I am listening, I admire how strong you are, you are important and valued, and I am rooting for you”. The reason why I connected a mirror was for them to see that what I saying is real, that these words that they are hearing are for them. I chose to hold the stranger’s hand because I wanted them to feel present and not alone in this world. I wanted to be able to be a support for just a moment and change the rhythm of their day.
It was interesting to see the strangers reaction. Their faces were emotional and happy. I was able to bring someone joy for a moment in their life and that’s something so precious. After I thanked them for participating, they thanked me and told me that I had done something good for them. Two people told me it made them emotional. I was able to create a memorable experience for me and the people I met through words, holding hands, and my object. The holding hands made them open up to me and be comfortable even though the beginning may have been uncomfortable. The object made themselves bond with themselves and even with me. I was able to make someone’s day.
The strangers who participated actually really liked it, which was very surprising to me. It was amazing to hear them thanking me for making their day. The allowed me to hold their hands and they would make funny comments like “your hands are warm”. I still think it was such a crazy, yet amazing experience I had through this project. I was scared to put myself out there and interact with people but I wanted to challenge myself in that aspect. Standing by myself, I felt vulnerable but after the first person, it got easier. It was fun and warm being able to be a positive force to others.
