26 II 2002

Tokio Kagurazaka Die Platze, Japonia

manifestation as part of The 9th Nippon International Performance Art Festival  (22 II – 8 III)

Description of the manifestation:

Location: An underground-style theater hall with black walls and curtains. Two small tables stand side by side: one holds a cut flower, the other is covered with a gray cloth that hangs over the front edge and holds a bottle of vodka and vodka glasses.

The artist enters. He is naked, with a rope around his neck. He approaches the first table, removes the rope, and places it next to the flower. Standing between the two tables, he declares that this will be neither a happening nor a performance, but rather the creation of a material document; therefore, at the end of the event, he will ask the audience to authenticate this document with their signatures. He moves to the table with the alcohol, opens the bottle, and fills several glasses. Then he writes the letter S on his torso. At the second table, he ties a knot in the rope and paints a red stripe on his back. He repeats these actions alternately until all the vodka has been poured, the word SEAL is written on his body, and the knotted rope has taken the shape of a sphere. The artist then applies white and red paint to his penis and presses it onto the hanging part of the gray cloth. Holding the knotted ball of rope, he places it between the glasses and puts the flower into the bottle. He announces that the phallically sealed document is complete. Finally, he invites the audience to help themselves to the vodka and sign the gray tablecloth – an invitation they gladly accept.

Photo by Makato Kondoh

Photo by Ayano Shibata

Photo by Makato Kondoh

Photo by Makato Kondoh

Photo by Ayano Shibata

Photo by Ayano Shibata