I attended two err performance/happennings last year. Marina Abramovich Presents at the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester in July and Subtle Mob, London curated by Duncan Speakman and chums. Neither bore much resemblance to the other, except for their reliance upon the participant’s commitment to utter openness for the whole duration of the piece. I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for or what or what might be asked of me. The idea was to turn up and put yourself at the mercy of the curator. And voluntary submission is a great thing! Putting my trust in the, as it turned out, very capable hands of the artist was on both accounts hugely enlightening. Of course it was! A good exercise in learning not to be fearful of potential humiliation - what a waste of worry that is.
