Raf's Final Project

This project changed a LOT over the course of the weekend as I began planning far more, and trying to figure out what my resources were, who I had at my disposal, and what was possible. Originally, it was a plan where I'd get multiple people and have them pursue a conversation based off of the role written behind their mask, and have the audience write their assumptions of who they are on the mask itself. But I realized I may not have that many people, so I was able to brainstorm with the help of people from work and ultimately the project finally found it's aim. My project is where I talk to people in public in a concealing mask. Having conversation, just talking to someone who's face you can't see, simulating what it's like to talk to someone online. People use masks and anonymity to protect themselves and feel comfortable on the internet, especially to say things without consequence. That usually comes with a lack of self-awareness and social capability, which this project hoped to raise in people. So there's a part of the project that's planned; a friend who started off my activity by being the first one to talk to me, putting on a show with ridiculous statements, and people who were interested and genuinely talked about who they were, captivating me.

This became less of a performance art project, and more about learning about not only how crazy people can sound, but also what people have gone through. I wanted to start highlighting the absurdity in people, both attitude-wise and experience. While I wasn't able to get many people to interact with me, I managed to make do with the footage I have. I chose to put these two conversations together, to juxtapose logic and absurdity, while also keeping both people somewhat anonymous.

https://youtu.be/6Ndrhl8AScg

When it came to the project, I thought of the following artists when designing my plan; Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono, and Shaun Leonardo. I did not have the scale that all of these artists achieved, but they way they did their performance art made me think about what kind of message the audience is supposed to get, and how to achieve that through the performance. Marina for her endurance to stay in one place, Yoko Ono for the abstract thought and plan to achieve that idea, and Shaun Leonardo's focus on expression, gesture, and the need to put himself into his performance.

"When we operate solely from our own experiences, interests, perspectives, and comforts, we miss a lot."
This quote underscores the importance of stepping outside our personal bubbles. In activism and art, relying solely on one's perspective can lead to a narrow understanding of complex issues. Embracing diverse viewpoints enhances empathy and effectiveness in creating meaningful change.

"This discomfort is part of growth."
Engaging with unfamiliar ideas or challenging situations can be uncomfortable, but it's through this discomfort that growth occurs. For artists and activists, pushing beyond comfort zones is essential to develop deeper insights and foster transformative experiences.

"We often act on autopilot, making associations and following patterns that have worked for us in the past."
This observation highlights how habitual behaviors can limit innovation. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward conscious change, allowing activists and artists to break free from routines and approach problems with fresh perspectives.

"As artistic activists we need to always think of our audience."
Self-awareness extends to understanding how one's work is perceived. Considering the audience ensures that the message resonates and prompts the desired response, making the activism more impactful.