Whilst concentrating on sculpting, during my
studies, I realized that what occurred before the work was even presented was
of as much importance to me as the final piece itself. Subsequently, I started
carrying out short experiments in front of a video camera; something that soon became
close to what is called performance art. Soon after my work evolved into actual
performances, involving setting up and carrying out "experiments"
that bear aesthetic results in front of physical audiences.
Having worked physically,
and using tools, on an object (as a sculptor) it was only natural to bring this
to my performance pieces too. Although my work is performative I still consider
myself a sculptor. Constructing and deconstructing whilst having some kind of
interaction with audience (or not) can often give a humorous twist to the
concept of cause and effect in methods of experimentation and discovery. Naturally,
one’s performance art is ordered in a chronological manner, yet the viewer is
not aware of this while encountering a performance.
I do not believe that
viewers can or will view the works in a similar way to how I perceive them. Nor
do I believe that a possible act of "understanding" – whatever
that means – can take place through watching or even participating in a
performance. Neither is it totally excluded. I believe my works can be
effective (i.e. generating meaning) through watching them and, more
importantly, remembering them. My works are constructed in such a way that an
active viewer is encouraged to generate their own interpretation. But they also
allow a more passive viewer to submerge to a certain degree in a constructed
interpretation of reality.