Hype Part Artcenter
Ray Yang
10.11.2009
From: Yang, Ray. “Waiting in Line…: In Line for Close Encounters,” 4833 rph — Explore and Discuss. Hyde Park ARTCENTER. Chicago, United States (illust.)
http://www.hydeparkart.org/4833/2009/11/waiting_in_line.php
Waiting in Line…
By Ray Yang
In Line for Close Encounters
It was the last thing anyone expected to happen at a Hyde Park Art Center exhibition opening. For no good reason at all (or so it seemed) people were made to queue single file and subjected to stern questioning before being granted entry. Unbeknownst to these faithful art lovers that their bemusement, frustration or unfazed acceptance of authority were actually art in the making. More precisely they were participants in a performance by artist Tania Bruguera which was designed to simulate how bureaucratic power interferes with societal belonging.
Bruguera’s performance is one of nine artists projects that have been commissioned by the Hyde Park Art Center as part of the Close Encounters exhibition. The performance was brilliantly performed by Cecilia Vargas (the role of desk officer), and also Sam Goodman and Clare Britt (who acted as provocateurs within the queue). Also, special thanks to Hannah Verrill who documented the performance.