I'm gonna write about the reason why I cut my arms in my performance.
But before, I should explain about this performance. This event was the final presentation of the Seiji Shimoda san's performance art class (to be accurate, this was not only performance art class but also media art class). I took this class last 2 years when I was art university student. And this was the 3rd times for me to take his class. So this event's main audience was only students. And their interests was not only performance art. Sometimes, other things are bigger curious for them than performance art in this lesson. In such situation, I might want to show the real seriousness of the artist for them as senior. Blood is often treated as the symbol of seriousness.
I think this performance was little bit shocking and extreme. The action that to show own blood often gives the shock to the audiences. Sometimes, extreme way gives us the shock and big question. I wanted to show my "extreme way" and give them a question about expression.
But these are just premise and my basically attitude. It's not so special things in my performance works. I always feel that I want to give the shock, the question and the new ideas of lives to the audience.
In this performance I prepared 4 materials (cutter knives, 2 apples, hemp thread, and paper). At first, I rolled the apples with thread. Second, I stick the apples with the edge of the cutter knife and I stood on the apples. Third, I tie the thread on my arms and cut my arms about 10 cm both arms by the knives with apples. Finally I put the apples with knives on the paper and dragged these objects.
I had 2 reasons cut my arms. One is for "extreme" and "serious". Another is for "denotation" and "connotation". I already write about first reason. I'll write about 2nd reason next.
Left day 02
Right day 02
