Sounds Like Divination I, II and III

New York Live Art Tour 8, Immersive

13th, 15th and 16th September 2023

Sounds Like Divination I, back entrance of Chelsea Market, Manhattan. 13th September. 35-minute duration. Photos by Mark Polyakov.

An invitation to develop and present public performance art works in the streets of New York, as part of the 8th Live Art Tour, Immersive, curated by Cai Qing in partnership with Grace Exhibition Space (182 Ave C, New York).

I am investigating a deconstructed system of divination through 7 X 2.4m dowels, cut up into different lengths (all different measurements of the cut -up dowels written at the ends with an ink colour associated to the original dowel) and re-constructed back by tying them up with twine. Each performance session breaks down the re-constructed dowels until they are hanging in fragile formations.

My thanks to Dagmar I. Glausnitzer-Smith, as this opportunity was made possible through her referral. Throughout the period between 13th - 16th September, Dagmar and I walked the streets of Manhattan, and intervened with performance actions where we were compelled by place and situation.

Sounds Like Divination II, 520 W 24th St, Manhattan. 15th September. 30-minute duration.

Sounds Like Divination III, Ave 6 W 20th St, Manhattan (next to Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine). 16th September. 7am-12pm. Photo by WeiZen Ho.

All photos below by Dagmar I. Glausnitzer-Smith.

Sounds Like Divination III finally manifested itself into deconstructed forms of personal divination sessions given to passers-by who stopped and enquired. The first thing I mention is that divination isn’t about certainty, but a system of expanding our perspective and insight when we are at life’s crossroads…

Adjacent to this area, Dagmar had her durational work in the same time period with materials collected from florists in Manhattan of plants, flowers and small branches.