Gesamtkunstwerk #1

2012, 180:00 minutes

The lights in the room are gelled blue and red. I am wearing a blue and red plaid shirt and blue jeans.

I perform a series of actions which are repeated on a loop throughout the duration of the performance. I begin with one action, then others are added over time to gradually build up the complexity of the series. At times certain actions and materials are discarded and others are introduced in their place. The actions are as follows:

I push the button to open the door. I flush the toilet in the first stall. I flush the toilet in the second stall. I flush the toilet in the third stall. I flush the left urinal, then the right. I activate the sensor to turn on the left faucet, then the right. I take a piece of paper towel from the dispenser and place it on the floor. I squeeze toothpaste into my mouth. I put a blue toothbrush in my mouth and brush my teeth. I put a red toothbrush in my mouth and sing while still brushing my teeth. I take off my shoes and leave them in the first stall. I tear off a piece of toilet paper and place it on the floor of the first stall. I tear off a piece of toilet paper and place it on the floor of the second stall. I tear off a piece of toilet paper and place it on the floor of the third stall. I spray my armpits with deodorant. I wipe my hands on a blue towel. I take off my shirt and hang it in the second stall. I write on the mirror with a red marker. I write on my face with a red marker. I rub stick deodorant on my armpits. I spit out the toothpaste and discard the toothbrushes. I sing while gargling blue mouthwash, then spit it in the sink. I take off my pants and hang them in the third stall. I pour a bowl of soapy red water over my head, clean it off the floor with a red sponge, then wring it back into the bowl. I write on the mirror with a blue marker. I write on my face with a blue marker. I wash my hands with red soap in the left sink, then the right. I sing with a mouthful of scotch mints, then spit them in the urinal. I take off my socks and throw them in a corner. I pour a bowl of soapy blue water over my head, clean it off the floor with a blue sponge, then wring it back into the bowl. I write on the walls with red and blue markers. I write on my hands and arms with red and blue markers. I wipe my face with the blue towel. I sing with a mouthful of scotch mints while gargling blue mouthwash, which causes me to gag, then I spit it in the urinal. I take off my t-shirt and hang it on a hook on the wall. I combine the red and blue soapy water and pour it over my head. I wipe my hands on the blue towel, then throw it on the floor. I discard the markers. I rub stick deodorant on the wall. I wipe my face with the blue towel, then hang it on a hook on the wall. I take off my underwear and hang them on a hook on the wall. I perform the entire series one final time. I put scotch mints and blue mouthwash in my mouth. I push the button to open the door. I wheel a blue mop and bucket into place to hold the door open. I take a pose on one leg while holding the mop handle with both hands. It is difficult to hold the pose because my hands are slippery and the door is pushing against the mop bucket. I start singing and spit the mints and mouthwash into the mop bucket. The lyrics are audible for the first time. The song is “This Charming Man” by The Smiths. When the song is over I break the pose, wrap the blue towel around my waist, and exit.

PAS #24 Final Presentation
in cooperation with M:ST Performative Art Festival and the Alberta College of Art and Design
Cliff Bungalow Arts Centre
Calgary, Canada
17 March, 2012