More Beautiful Than God

PAUL+A

thanks to Lucille Lagier and Jo from Fremantle Arts Centre, W.Australia

M.B.T.G. is a live art work based on a formalised game of strip poker incorporating both installation and performance.

In a modern sexual climate in which most traditional taboos have now been breached it may be ‘homeopathic’ in some way to return to the more innocent ‘mystifying spectacle’ of the simple removal of clothing.

Striptease as spectacle evokes memories of the veil of appearances and notions of hidden truths. From what was once a mystical journey the modern striptease as commodity still stands as a beautiful but inevitably melancholy metaphor for the human condition.

Invoking the “chrono-photography” of Victorian quasi-scientist Eadweard Muybridge and the small room sets and lighting of Jan Vermeer, photographers ‘Paul+a’ will recreate Vermeer’s “pensive women (people) pent up in shallow spaces”. In a series of short performances ‘for one’, in a warm dark and private space Paul+a will assist volunteer members of the audience to regain the ‘state of God’s grace’ in a contemplative and personal manner.

The crowd will huddle outside the space watching a mute monochrome surveillance monitor.

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THE RULES

6 ITEMS OF CLOTHING – 10 TURNS OF THE CARDS.

THE SUBJECTS CARDS ARE ON THE RIGHT.

ALL FOOTWEAR COUNTS AS ONE.

ACE IS HIGH.

A DRAW IS AWARDED TO THE SUBJECT.

IF THE SUBJECTS CARD IS LOWER THEY MUST REMOVE AN ITEM OF CLOTHING.

A PORTRAIT IS TAKEN EVERY TURN OF THE CARDS WHATEVER THE RESULT.

THE SUBJECT WILL FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE ASSISTANT AT ALL TIMES.

THE SUBJECT MUST AVERT THEIR EYES FROM THE CAMERA UNTIL (AND IF) THEY BECOME NAKED. I.e.. Regain the state of God’s grace.

ALL NUDES WILL HAVE DIRECT EYE CONTACT WITH THE CAMERA.

IF THE JOKER FALLS IN THE SUBJECT’S CARDS ALL CLOTHING COMES OFF.

IF THE JOKER FALLS ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE ASSISTANT WILL REMOVE THEIR CLOTHES AT THE END OF THE GAME.

THERE IS ONE JOKER IN THE PACK.

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