After last weeks improvisational exercise we decided to think about as groups to plan or come up with a score or a way to direct the group’s performances. We created a group chat and sent some ideas in the mix. Tim thought of getting the group to play in a certain style of an artist/group/genre. For example, perform what a seaside would sound like in the style of Massive Attack. Hywel had ideas of trying to make an all-vocal performance happen. We all agreed that might be really interesting but were unsure if everyone would cooperate.
I suggested the Oblique Cards idea, for each person in our group to come up with one or two strategies for the groups to do then we can shuffle them and hand them out to see how they are interpreted. Hywel liked it and suggested we have a few for the groups to shuffle every 45 seconds. I thought perhaps that was too quick and if we each made 5 or so we can make sure none are repeated. We agreed on bringing at least 1 or two card ideas for the next lecture to see what happens.
My first card idea was.
“Perform as if you are in an alternate universe where you are the complete opposite of yourself, in terms of your personality.”
After last weeks lecture, I found the unconscious dynamics of the group really interesting to observe and also the power dynamic the instrument section held when performing. I chose this card in particular because I wanted to see what direction the performance would go if directed by people that usually don’t lead.
The second card idea was.
“Fight the urge to create patterns, meaning and structure. Remove yourself from your usual routine with your instrument/object”
I choose this as the second idea based on my reflection from last weeks lecture. I found that we all approached our instruments based on how we usually use them at home. I wanted to see people that usually have intuitive structured ways of using their instruments/objects, use them in a completely different way.