The Arts have suffered during this pandemic with temporary closes in galleries, theatres and enclosed public spaces. The Theatres have suffered more than most industries in the arts as they rely on audiences on seats to host shows. Theatres and Music Venues haven’t really been open for an entire year (2020), the effect and the absence of the audience is massive not only for those that are directly involved in the shows but those that profit from audiences coming to the area to spend money in other areas such a bars and restaurants etc. Its the absence of the viewer, and the viewers relationship with the seat that is the basis for this work. Equally the viewer/the audience will be missing that need to escape through plays, shows and performances. There is now a much needed need to escape. The viewer, the seat, the cast and the play-writer and all those involved in theatre are entwined to one another. There is a synergy between them. If one falls so does the other. There is a needed love for each other, one that shares the love of the spoken and written word.
The work examines the relationship between the seat and the viewer and the very materials that have been used to create the work. It plays with the very act of been viewed by the viewer.
The text and the work can be broken down into the following:
“Echo Love of my Love”
This sentence hints towards the myth of narcissus and highlights the absence of the viewer but at the same time it puts the viewer within the work, as they would see their own reflection when reading and looking into the mirror. They become narcissus. The text and the work is nothing without a viewer. The Text can’t be seen or read without close inspection. Without an audience, theatres and shows begin to fail. When the seat is viewed away from the mirror the work does not work, it breaks its own system. The works needs the viewer to be there to be loved, just like an actor needs a crowd. Just as the viewer wants to reflect on the notions of love, hate, war, etc they want to be entertained. There is a need for each, whether this is reflecting they own deeper ambitious or fears or if it is to just simple escape.
“Look upon Look”
Reinforces the notion of the audience and plays on the fact that the viewer is currently looking and reading this work but also needs to look upon a stage. They are also looking and looking at a symbolism for that of a whole audience looking at a stage. When an audience views a show they do so as a whole, and as an individual from their own seat. An audience is both looking at one and all. With the cast looking back at them.
“Words within words”
“Brings you closer still”
References Terry Pratchetts phases “Humans had built a world inside the world, which reflects it in pretty much the same way as a drop of water reflected the landscape. And Yet…And Yet…”
Its pays homage to the written word and to all those writers and poets that use creative words to dream up plays and new narratives, to offer a new perspective on the world around us or to a completely new fantasy world. Always playing and using the the written word to take us from our seats within their own worlds. We are compelled upon word after word. These narratives often play from our own experiences and desires. Therefore it drives us deep into our own emotions and brings is closer to them. As we can only go off our own experiences.
The last line also reinforces the first line of the text and also its on structure.
“A Welcome Relief”
Plays on the very fact of the object, (chair, seat) been a relief or place for a person to rest. Viewers and audiences take to their seats to be taken away from the everyday and want to escape to a new world, a temporary space created by that of the the play-writer and cast etc. When viewing a play you are taken on a journey, outside your own world for a little welcomed relief.