I just returned from a performance that Ilay produced and in which he performs. Ilay is a friend and performer whom I met in the context of my work with Shahar and who appears in many of my images. The performance took place on the roof of his apartment building in Tel-Aviv. An impressive audience of about 30 people attended. The performance seems to be centered around a character that Ilay has been developing. I met this character a few weeks ago during our excursion to the desert (I hope that soon images will be made available on StillCreation). During the performance – a clear image of a creative event appeared to me. I would like this event to reach out from my imagination into an experienced reality. I would like to do a 3 day photography/performance event during which Ilay’s character evolves and appears.
The location is a closed performance space:
- A large “stage” area that provides performers a space to move and for me to choose and shift between near & far perspectives and physical presence (~30 meters long and 20meters wide/deep).
- A frontal audience area that can accommodate up to 200 people.
- The 3 sides of the “stage area” are covered in two layers of white sheets.
- There is a relevant space to move between the two layers.
- On the inner layer – back wall there is a red element hanging along the wall – approximately 1.5 meters from the ground.
- The floor is a non-reflective black.
- The ceiling is high – and also a non-reflective black.
- Lighting is provided from the front of the stage – both from ground level and hanging from the ceiling.
- Lighting is also embedded between the two layers of white.
- The lighting should provide a range from a very bright space to completely dark.
- A projection screen will be hanging from the ceiling in view of the – but high enough as to not obstruct the stage view.
The score is based on Ilay’s developing character (which I have now seen in two settings: (1) tonight in his intimate home performance and (2) a few weeks ago in the desert session. The event is made up of unknown series of performances. In each performance Ilay’s character can change and evolve. This can occur by introducing elements into the space, changes into costume, guest performers, etc.
The schedule outline sets the hours during which performances may take place – work hours. During these hours the space is active, though actual take performance times are unknown. Whenever it becomes relevant a performance may take place. Audience are welcome to reside in the space during work hours. A performance is limited in duration – up to 40 minutes. It is a chapter in an unfolding story.
Photography – I will be taking pictures during performances – free to use the space. Live images will be projected onto the screen. Between performances materials from previous performances will be continuously projected in the space.
Additional people and roles I’d like to see involved:
- Shahar Dor – Artistic Director
- Video Photography – Amit Shalev
- Sound & Vocals – Shay Dayan
- Vocals – Orly Portal
- Lighting – you know who you are
The space is available to us 24 hours a day, supportive and comfortable accommodations are near by and we have healthy and nutritional food & drink available to us all 3 days with at least 1 warm meal a day. We have a producer working with us and supporting the work during the entire event. The event is advertised at least one month in advance – giving audiences a chance to hear about it and make the time to attend it. Funding includes payment of artist fees to all artists involved.