resist
resist is a durational participatory performance work that invites audiences to step up and champion a cause using the ancient art of tug-of-war. Over the course of three hours, participants publically wage war one-on-one with the pvi conflict resolution team over a series of contentious issues that have the local community divided, using only a 10m length of rope, their physical prowess and the strength of their own convictions.
The pvi team will spend two days on the ground in your town, researching and interviewing community members to establish a list of issues to be resolved relevant to your location. They may include local, global and uniquely personal issues with suggested solutions to resolving each topic. The performance event will take place on the second afternoon or evening.
During the three hour event, each issue is listed on an oversized scoreboard and individual audience members are invited to select one they would like to wage war over. Each contest runs until someone wins/loses. The work is durational (we suggest three hours) and capped to a time limit with performers working hard to resolve as many issues as possible before their time runs out. Audiences are free to stay for the duration, cheering on fellow audience members, or come and go as they please.
At the end of each showing pvi deliver the results of our contests to a key civic leader within the community; handing over the official mantle of 'champion of the people' for them to implement suggested changes along with a symbolic red satin hero cape. In previous performances this has included filmed performative interventions in the offices of the WA Police Commissioner, the Lord Mayors of Perth(WA) and Junee (NSW) and the President of Chile. These interventions are then compiled and screened online as part of the conflict resolutions service to the local community.
resist is a light mobile work and can take place in a performance / gallery space, patch of grass or a formal public setting. With limited technical needs, the work has recently been radically re-shaped to allow for fast adaptation to a variety of environments and contexts. pvi collective are ready, willing and able to work with you to shape the event to suit your space and community.
Please get in touch if you have any queries!
Performance History
2010 Rolling Stock Festival, Moving Train, Junee NSW
2009 Awesome Festival, WA Museum, Perth WA
2006 The South Project, Outdoor Public Space, Chile
Details
Availability 2011 onward
Duration 3 hours
About pvi collective
www.pvicollective.org.au
For bookings contact:
Fiona de Garis, Producer
Performing Lines WA
fiona[at]performinglines.org.au
P. +61 8 9200 6213