Cary Peppermint: Conductor Number One
*Conductor #1: Getting In
Touch With Chicken* is an interactive performance and installation in which
I will be placed inside of a pine box and thereafter assume the role of *conductor*.
Within this box I will perform with hopes of attaining energy which may allow
effective completion of a circuit or rather, a chicken called *resistor*,
placed into a second box approximately 5 meters away. The *resistor* will
be privy to a telephone with a direct line from and to the *conductor* , an
answering machine, and a video/CU-SEEME connection. As *conductor* I will
be assisted by my own telephone with direct line from and to the *resistor*,
a video camera, and a CU-SEEME connection. Participants called *batteries*
both local and remote, will utilize me as *medium* and/or *exorcist* for a
ritual involving perceptual boundaries, and possible transcendence of these
boundaries. World wide participants participate via a total of 4 possible
screens of interaction involving CU-SEEME, Real Audio, and a World Wide Web
Site. Integral components of this ritual are participants in the physical
exhibition space and on-line guests via CU-SEEME. All participants will actively
assume the role of *batteries* . These groups are encouraged to communicate
via CU-SEEME CHAT. *Batteries* may dine upon prescribed meals of fried chicken
and/or scrambled eggs with hopes their internalization of chicken may then
twist their tongues into energized and energizing forms that could contribute
to my optimum performance as *conductor* thus completion of the circuit called
*chicken*. On-line participants and viewers will be able to observe all levels
of interaction simultaneously via CU-SEEME windows; the room view window called
*circuit* , the *conductor* window, the *resistor* window and all *battery*
windows. Local participants and viewers may navigate within the physical space
of the *circuit* between the boxes of *conductor* and *resistor*. and may
engage two large screens positioned at opposite ends of the physical space
which detail on-line interactions.
c. peppermint 1997