Are we different from the other beings that inhabit and share our world?
Are we different from animals?
This piece first and foremost offered to me a real insight in the difference between ourselves and our fellow beasts. Left totally rehumanised, this art work created by Oliver Cronk and India Banks, not only offered a new perspective on animal testing procedures but has it lead to new understandings of what it means to embody animal? Is there a difference then between stunts and live action? Between embodied performance and acting? Indeed I would go as far to say yes. Throughout this 'performance' there seemed to be a non-thinking element, how else could such a performance be outlived.. to think, means to question and the question of getting up to use the toilet or walk out did not occur. To allow ones bodily responses to work out of intuition, as a reaction to procedures that have never been experienced before - is this then a stunt? Anticipation aside - here was a piece who's rough structure and framework was potentially known but being left unsuspecting some allows for a true openness to the experience. An non- rehearsed piece, in this case, is what carried it.
As for the message? - let us not forget our capacities to work out of responsibility rather than ignorance.