Uploaded 29th Jan 2023

Title: Pain & Pleasure

Artists: Teck Lim(Game master), Zhu Zhenyi(Lead Performer), Yiyang Sun(video editing), Keyao Ji(video editing & props), Ludovica Galleani d’Agliano(contributing member)

Year: 2022 (15th Sept 2022)

Medium: Performance with audience participation

Duration: 30min

Location: Zurich University of the Arts (Switzerland)

Project Description

The project started with discussion and interest about boundaries, consent and power-exchange. As we negotiated and discussed, a game as a performance which was drafted by me with simple rules, was decided as a performance that we want to showcased. With support given by team members to purchase props and to dive straight into rehearsals or experiments. We also decided to shoot and edit some videos of our experimentation with the props at the glass panel location we chose and to project the video at or near the glass panel.

I discussed with the key performer, Zhenyi on the key points of the performance on what we really want to achieve during the showcase, as the concept involves audience participation and improvisation and the possibilities of involving other group members as performers during the showcase. The heavy burden was on Zhenyi.

We discussed mainly about experimenting with the “exchange” of power and emotions we wish to trigger. I told her she need not use all the props given. For me it would be great for her or the participant to do something with the cigarette and lighter but it is not necessary. (I explain just to Zhenyi that, while exploring the boundaries and power dynamics between the performer & the participant, I am curious in how the “system”, “society” or “space” have an impact on power dynamics. The cigarettes & lighter, are there as a metaphor & representation as invisible boundaries which might be crossed & not often talked about; as it is a grey area. I have also prior to the performance asked, a supervisor if there are any prohibitions on things we cannot do, and the response was negative, thus triggering my interest to explore the stated intention. Zhenyi focussed and made her own songs selection which could elicit the emotional reaction she wants from the participants and the audience.

I also checked out where is the smoke detector and research online about the possibility of triggering the smoke alarm or fire-sprinkler. There is calculated risk, but we decided that it would be rather safe and know of the cost and consequences for our performance or props, and the boundaries and responsibilities of our act.

Props were laid out clearly prior performance and a few approached me to cautioned me about the possibility of engaging the fire engine should my performance trigger the alarm. I felt and told Max that the props had already yield the result we want even before the show, but it is up to her how she should use it.

With the switch of power, will the meaning of "pain" and "pleasure" we are so used to, take on different meanings, or be juxtaposed and create new discoveries for us? With our performance or if you might call, an experiment, we set forth a route towards Terra incognita, and created a sphere of uncharted territory that invites unsuspecting participants to a ceremony of self-discovery, power exchange and a game if you might call it, that puts you in opposing positions of power play, with just 1 to 3 knocks on the glass.

As we anticipated how our invited audience react within the boundaries set by us and perhaps "the system", we also explore setting new rules and boundaries. Who will adhere by the rules and who will hold the power or abuse it perhaps? Will re-contextualizing the game brings forth resonance to situations beyond kinks? We seek to explore the beauty and query and also confines of the game we have created. With consent, and boundaries, we explore the game of pain and pleasure and at the end of the performance, agree that we could use the same methodologies in conceptualising this game in other context, such as consent on other educational platforms and not just as artistic expressions.

Special thanks to our participants: Chao Hsuan, Dapheny Chen, Alexander Gaeng & Lily Pellaud. We also thanks project supervisors especially Ricardo Gil Cordeiro(Berlin) & Dr Marshal Bradfield(UK, Central St Martins) for their precious inputs and time.

Images below by Rafael Gil & Teck Lim