live performance
duration: variable
location: The back alley of the Signal 66 Art Space in Washington, DC
description: Prior to the performance an email was sent to the gallery distribution list asking gallery-goers to attend the opening and performance with any socks missing their mates that they might have stored in their homes. In preparation for the performance, I gathered my mateless socks, and visited multiple Laundromats in DC retrieving any mateless socks that were lying around the facility. I used these socks to form a ring in the alley.
image above: performance installation image
During the performance I asked gallery visitors if they had any socks missing their mates and if they wanted to relieve themselves of these socks. Participants were then asked to step into the center of the sock ring with me.
image above: live performance image
Once in the circle, I asked them the following questions: “Is it true that this sock is missing its mate?” “Approximately how long has its mate been missing?” “Do you have any ideas on the whereabouts of the missing sock?” “Would you like to relieve yourself of your missing socks?”
image above: live performance image
After the final question was answered affirmatively, the participant placed their sock on the ground. I soaked it with lighter fluid, and the participant lit the sock with a match. The participant stayed in the circle to watch it burn for as long as they wished. Interestingly, the afternoon became windy and a rainstorm fell during the performance. Puddles were made in the ring of socks, and the participants and I literally were fighting the elements to complete the ritual of burning the socks. At the end of the performance, after all gallery-goers socks were burned, I lit the ring of socks on fire and the performance ended.
image above: performance installation image