Post 7- Deanna Currington

Chapter 4

We discussed the importance of uniforms rituals, and allegiance to a group, all of which were quickly found to be applicable to the veterans' artistic activism.

First of all, I like this quote because it gives me an idea for my final 💙. I also resonate with this because I know a lot of times, (some) people see uniforms and can learn to dislike the idea of connection in that way. Yet we know in the back of our heads, there is a shared language and understanding that comes with wearing uniforms. It feels like a commitment to each other that we will be there for each other in some way. This applies to activism because the uniform carries "symbolism." Now you have people who understand this symbol paying attention. Now, you can bring that group together and create!

"Life goes on in an environment; not merely in it but because of it, through interaction with it." -John Dewey

This shows how deeply our environment shapes us. When I am taking psychology classes environment is a big factor in how we learn. Outside of our parents we have external factors like environment that impact our human behaviors. Environment ACTIVELY forms who we are through interaction. From personal experience I know that it is possible when you are in a new environment sometimes your habits and mannerism can change. You may feel like you dont need to do certain things anymore or you might feel like you need to start doing things different. This is the interaction John Dewey was talking about.

I also chose this quote because I went to John Dewey Highschool. 😂

Hispanic Executive | Interview with Shaun Leonardo - Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy

I have witnessed young people be easily derailed when they don’t see themselves in the representation of who is creating.

This speaks brings up the issue of visibility and representation. We don't have enough (visible) culture in the arts. When you are able to find art that speaks to you on your own level, it gives you confidence and ambition, and you want to engage more. It is possible to feel creative if you feel unseen but imagine how much more inspired you can be when you don't feel excluded or invisible. When you see yourself in art, it allows you to feel like "This is for me too."

..particularly a young white student, seeing the mode of expression of an artist of color can shift as much of their worldview as it does for a student of color.

I like this because it shows how representation is important to all groups. We need to expose all cultures so we can stop assumptions about each other and develop some type of cultural humility when it comes to connection with others. For underrepresented groups, feeling seen affirms identity and that we belong. For white people if can help decenter their thought process and view the world outside of themselves.

PERFORMANCE ART ACTIVISM POST 7

Concept:

This performance piece is to explore the invisible load a mother has to carry. I want it to highlight the responsibilities like work, children, home, relationships, and friendships. Mothers may find it hard to find a moment of stillness and quiet, yet somehow, while being in the middle of so much obligation and responsibility, they still don’t feel fully seen.

Instructions:

Setting:

• A large open space
• One chair placed in the center under a soft spotlight
• Dim lighting around the perimeter

 

Step-by-Step Performance

Beginning (Stillness – 1 minute):
The performer (mother figure) sits in the chair, hands in lap, staring forward.
Complete silence. No movement.

Responsibilities emerge! (2–3 minutes):
Performers begin entering the space one by one, walking in slow circles around her.

Each performer represents a role or responsibility:

• Work
• Children
• Partner/relationships
• Household duties
• Financial stress
• friendships
• Self-image/identity

It sounds like a room fun of chatter but in between the soft noise you can here them softly repeat phrases as they walk:

• “Don’t forget…”
• “Bills are due?”
• “I need you…”
• “Kids need to eat.”
• “You need to go to the gym.”
• “You need a vacation.”
• “Mama.”
• “You should be doing more…”
• “You’re not enough…”
• “Uh, look at my body.”

The climb (Overlapping Noise – 3–5 minutes):

They begin to walk faster around here. The voices start to get closer together, overlapping and getting louder.
Soon after, they start to interact with the mother figure.

• One hands her things she cannot hold
• One tugs at her arm
• Some circle in closer
• A child
• One checks an invisible watch repeatedly

The seated performer begins to show subtle strain:

• Tightening hands
• Shallow breathing
• Small head movements
• Trying to respond but not being heard.

Breaking Point (1–2 minutes):
All sounds stop, and all the performers except the mother walk off the stage into the darkness.

Silence.

The mother figure slowly looks at her load for the first time.

She tries to stand but is weighed down by her load.

Release :
She begins removing items slowly, one at a time.

With each item removed, she speaks:

• “This is not mine alone.”
• “I shouldn’t have to do this by myself.”
• “I cannot hold everything.”

But as she removes the things from her hands, she realizes they have pooled at her feet, and she is stuck in place.

Final Action (Audience Involvement)
The performer looks at the audience and says:

“See what I carry?

Audience members may be invited to:

• Remove an item or take one and hold it themselves

Short Script

(Opening – silence first)

(Whispers begin around her)

Performer (softly, almost to herself):
“I hear everything.”
“I hold everything.”
“I am expected to be everything.”

(During escalation – no clear speech, just breath and struggle)

(Breaking point – silence)

(Final line)
“See what I carry.”

Audience Participation:

• watching the build of pressure and noise
• Removing or holding objects

Issues:

• Invisible load of motherhood
• Emotional and mental load
• Gender roles
• Burnout
• Identity loss
• Women are being overwhelmed

Explanation:

With this piece we are using the body to express tension, and time. The stillness and silence of the mother figure mixed with the chaos around her shows how internal this whole situation can be even with the visible load. The circling people representing that constant and repetitive load of responsibility. The “invisible” things mothers take care of that make everyone day better but can be a burden to her.