How do we engage and explore the space between the self and the other?

‘Chair conversations’ is a complex practice of communication using our bodies. It exists in many realms; as a durational practice over five years, as a marker of time and exploration of ‘other’ using the body as a vehicle, a secret journalling of each perspective withheld from even ourselves, it is performed in public spaces and institutions, and is a series of integrated images and videos.

The structure of this project is simple. A chair is placed in a public space. Each person takes a turn sitting in the chair, eyes closed without moving. The other person moves and manipulates the sitting person’s body. The project is placed in both public and private sites because Alex and Mushi recognize the impact the environment has on the intimacy of their conversation. ‘Chair Conversations’ is durational: 20-40 minutes.

This is a conversation around gender, generational gaps, reality, illusion, desire, and tension. Alex and Mushi each keep a journal entry that documents their emotional experience after each performance. This is the second part of the project which they have not yet revealed to each other.

Chair Conversations has been performed at Minesota Street Project, Chinese Culture Center SF, Zonamaco Art Fair Mexico, and has been workshopped at CounterPulse SF for Kinetech Arts.

Directions:

A chair is placed.

Person 1 sits down with hair over face, eyes closed, allows themselves to be moved without resistance.

Person 2 is allowed to move Person 1’s body for 20 minutes.

Once done, roles are switched.