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It’s easier to control than inspire Nick rodrigues 2017
mixed media performance with kinetic installation
28 folding chairs,water, hydraulic cylinders, plastic hose, water cooler, dc motor with voltage controller, various trash
12 x 15 feet
Dimensions Variable:
30 x 30 x 6 feet
(10 x 10 x 2 m)
Town Hall Exhibition at LTD Gallery, Los Angeles, CA | Sept 16 - 17, 2017
In this performance I told a story about the difficulty of living with roommates to a group of chairs that were set up in a circular arrangement. As I talked I was able to move the chairs using hydraulic fluid. The chairs were animated to nod along as I was saying similar to if they were agreeing with me. Towards the end of the performance the Water cooler behind me gulped and then the trash in the yellow trash can got up and danced around a bit.
More Exhibit Info
Town Hall
Organizers
Liz Toonkel | Tyler Calkin | Zackary Drucker | Ali Kheradyar | Rachel Mason Arturo Molinar Avitia | Zoe Aja Moore Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs | Sarah Petersen Christopher Reynolds | Christy Roberts Berkowitz Nick Rodrigues | Molly Shea | Darling Shear-Squire Liz Toonkel | Ben Tong | Jason Triefenbach | Paul Waddell
Town Hall is a weekend of performances using the arena and construct of the town hall forum to explore the role of artist within community and the commercialization and fetishization of political identity.
Toonkel, in the character of My Period, will call the meeting to order with opening remarks on both Saturday and Sunday. The artists to perform in the round include Tyler Calkin, Ali Kheradyar, Rachel Mason, Arturo Molinar Avitia, Zoe Aja Moore, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs, Christy Roberts Berkowitz, Molly Shea, Darling Shear-Squire, Liz Toonkel, Ben Tong, Jason Triefenbach, and Paul Waddell. The following artists will create the objects that bring the town hall meeting to life: Zackary Drucker's flags hang outside the gallery to invite the community in, Sarah Petersen's rug delineates the performance space, Christopher Reynolds provides the refreshment table and Nick Rodrigues activates the folding chairs the community will gather on. While these performances will be held in rapid succession, the floor will be open in between performances for questions and comments from the audience.
The town hall meeting and its tropes, from political discourse to local complaints, from donuts to coffee, are universal, accessible and almost too familiar at this political moment. These artists will bring a little life, levity and listening to a community in distress, disorder and dismay.
This Town Hall meeting will be documented via 360 video by FLOAT Studio. Donuts, coffee, and PBR provided by ltd los angeles.
Thanks to all of the performers, FLOAT Studio, Zackary Drucker, California Carts, Salim Green, and Ian McSpadden for their time and commitment.
