Primitive Games x Instruction Pieces- Mohamed Camara

 Evaluation Report | Primitive Games | Guggenheim Museum

Q1- “ There were moments after a workshop—emotionally intense moments … in which I had to be completely poised as a vessel for all of these narratives and immediately following the workshop I had to think and collect myself on a random corner before I went home.”

R1- This quote emphasizes the emotional intensity of the workshops and the need for the facilitator to process the weight of participants' shared experiences. It highlights the deep personal and collective impact of the performance.

Q2- “What I want to get us to is a place where we can read each other so we understand that the ways that we interpret body language has everything to do with how we understand ourselves.”

R2- The statement suggests that understanding body language is deeply tied to self-awareness, as our interpretations are shaped by personal experiences and biases. It underscores the role of perception in nonverbal communication.

Q3- “You allowed us a comfort level in the workshops to talk about things we’d never spoken about, ever.”

R3- This quote reflects the safe and open environment created in the workshops, allowing participants to share thoughts they had never previously voiced. It speaks to the power of the performance in fostering vulnerability and dialogue.

Q4- “ Nonverbal communication has more of a fixed meaning and understanding; it’s not subjective in my opinion.”

R4- This perspective argues that nonverbal communication carries more universal meanings rather than being subjective. It suggests body language has a structured, fixed interpretation across different contexts.

    Primitive Games explored power, communication, and decision-making through structured yet ambiguous interactions, where participants formed alliances and navigated conflicts. The piece highlighted how people debate without words, using body language to express perspectives on gun violence. Workshops brought together diverse groups: veterans, police officers, and recreational gun users, to engage in nonverbal dialogue, revealing insights on social dynamics and challenging assumptions. Though silent, the performance conveyed a powerful message about perception and interpretation beyond words.

Instruction Pieces

Phone Piece

Unlock your phone.

Look at it for a brief moment.

Turn it off and put it away.

Exit Piece

Rise from where you sit.

Walk toward the door.

Step outside.

Thought Piece

Write your first thought on paper.

Give it to someone and ask them to place it in their pocket.

Let them discover it later.