The world health organisation recently released a report predicting that the biggest health problem facing the human race in the year 2050 will be anxiety and depression, and ailments deriving from these states.
The performance I did on Cuckoo Lane for an invited audience and of course whoever else happened to pass by or hang out their window, was about being both entertaining and candid about my experiences with depression.
Outside of the natural and healthy depressions I am programmed to experience, I feel that there is a depression directly induced from external influences, rather than an innate disposition. A mental pollution stemming from consumerism. It’s Not my Nature. It’s just the way I’ve been Nurtured (^_^)
I just can’t believe that the prevalence of depression into todays western world, The lack of hope and power within ones own life, is a coincidence when considering the greed and scarcity lies we are forced to swallow. At the moment (in terms of the bigger picture) our species, seem to be experiencing a feeling of isolation far greater than any time or place I’m aware of.
At least in times of overt oppression we can at least come together because we are together in our agreement. I think that when I am isolated they have won.
“Cynicism is obedience, Optimism is a political act.. Cynicism is often seen as a rebellious attitude in Western popular culture, but, in reality, cynicism in average people is the attitude exactly most likely to conform to the desires of the powerful – cynicism is obedience.
Optimism, by contrast, especially optimism which is neither foolish nor silent, can be revolutionary. Where no one believes in a better future, despair is a logical choice, and people in despair almost never change anything” Alex Steffen.
The best weapon I have against this unnesscessary type of depression, is the knowledge that somebody is trying to enslave me, it’s not rational, it’s not me, it’s external, it’s a deliberate stratedgy to win me over, and I’m not gonna let it beat me down.
In this western age of anxiety I don’t think that these thoughts and this type of relationship with myself is unusual and yet for me, the essence of depression is the feeling that you are alone. I feel that by publicly exposing the issue, I went against the oppressive stigma that keeps depression hidden and isolated.
It has been a while sense I devised and practiced for a performance. Basically since I realised that theatre and gallery spaces are too far removed from the communal and non hierarchical lives I want to live. Performing in these spaces, these black and white boxes, separated from the world by walls, where you have full control over the surrounding environment, is an easier endevour than the alternative; Public Spaces inhabited by the multidimensional natures of the general public.
After grabbling with making work in public spaces for the last few years I found myself creating heavily visual and conceptual work as this works well in public spaces. Therefore much of the work went into the preparation and the execution was the easy part. This time the piece was scripted in magpie style and although a lot of work went into the preparation I had to put a lot of energy into the execution of it.
Below are two short excerpts from the piece, it lasted about 20 minutes. I have had to depend on the kindness of others in terms of documenting a lot of my work, thanks. Thanks to James Moloney for the editing and photography.
