Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Performance arts, anyone?
UGNAYAN 2005. What a way to end the day and to de-stress.
To give us an idea of how our Spoken Word Event or lit night for CW 10 should be, Ms. Roldan made us watch this international performance arts showcase. And believe it was way more than what I've expected. I thought it would just be like watching a movie after that stiff neck-and-migraine-causing Math 17 exam. You know, all relaxed and stuff. But as the first performance started, Kaye, Val, and I knew we were in for something bigger--not just the usual quiet lit night thing, but more extreme performances.
The first presentation was done by this Australian (?) guy whose voice-over about pedophilia was barely heard since it was played by a jeepney's sound system. And yes, he rented the jeepney just for that. He literally carved the letters L-O-V-E onto his skin, which soon bled crimson. He also smashed two plates onto his head, and yes, it bled too. He dipped rags, bling bling, and the rest of his props in a pail full of pig's blood and shook them for audience interaction. LOL. The guy also had a pig's head chained to the jeep. Gahhd, if you were there, you would've been shocked. No, horrified. Oh well. That's art.
Then there was this guy who was supposedly on his deathbed singing Lupang Hinirang to the tune of My Way. Then he just stopped at "At ang mamatay ng dahil sa...." probably to signify the people's common doubt about the saying "The Filipino is worth dying for." Actually he didn't stop. He just didn't finish it but he kept repeating the last syllable, as if imitating the sound of a flat line. Yikee, being overanalytic again! ;)
And here was a memorable one aside from the other performance wherein this guy took off his clothes until he was only in his briefs: There was this guy with the US flag painted on his head to his torso. He began walking around asking people, "Who are you?", until he finally washed away the paint. Only the Philippine flag was left since it was taped. Then he turned the other way around and painted on his back was "Who am I?". He then turned around again and painted jail bars on the Philippine flag. And then he left. That would have to be my favorite performance. (No, it wasn't the one with the guy in just briefs!)
We weren't able to finish the show since we have class tomorrow morning but the three of us definitely liked it. I'm sure we all went home happy, satisfied, and of course, inspired.
Our Spoken Word Event is two weeks from now and since earlier, I've already been thinking about what to do. And noo, I'm not going to perform in just undies!
Can't wait! ;)
