Piece For Person And Ghetto Blaster (2015)
Piece for Person and Ghetto Blaster is a confrontational muse on peace and conflict, moral relativism and the very function of art. The story came from something that actually happened. I saw a man throwing stones at a sitting duck and I yelled at him. The work dissects the excruciating realms of human behavior and attempts to navigate of the moral and ethical complexities of intervention. Littered with anecdotes and digressions, critical and philosophical theory, the text is accompanied by a rhythmic electronic soundscape, and a non-stop, athletic choreography that is made to shift from the unnecessary and incongruous to the comic and strangely affecting.
It came about through several years collaborating with Melbourne-based choreographer Jo Lloyd. Together we developed a talking and dancing practice we called ‘Conversation Therapy’ that was interested in the liminal space created through talking and doing. I wanted to adapt this process to the story with duck because what preoccupied me about this situation was how I reacted – how I amplified the violence of the situation through my words, thought and action. I began thinking about unnecessary action and this led me to the choreographic impulse for the work. I think of the text as circular thinking and there is rhythm and choreography to how it is structured. Jo and I wanted to find ways to subvert and compliment this with movement, so the intention was to have two layers in perpetual motion, constantly sliding over each other. Piece for Person and Ghetto Blaster marks my first investigations into choreographic essayism.
“Comic Genius… Gunn’s text is intricate and often brilliant, full of unpredictable digressions and curious factoids. It’s the verbal equivalent of skimming stones over water.” The Age
“NICOLA Gunn’s theatre is tantalising, entertaining, ridiculous and often bewildering in the best possible way. This marvellously eccentric, charming and mischievous performer has created yet another stylish, inventive and startling work…mesmerising and unforgettable.” Herald Sun
“Mordantly witty, and wittily digressive.” Daily Review
Written, Directed and Performed by NICOLA GUNN
Choreography JO LLOYD
Sound Composition and Design KELLY RYALL
Lighting Design NIKLAS PAJANTI
AV Design MARTYN COUTTS
Costume Design SHIO OTANI
Script Dramaturg JON HAYNES
Piece for Person and Ghetto Blaster was developed with the support of Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria, Punctum Inc. Seedpod, Arts House Culture Lab, Maximised by Chunky Move and Mobile States | Performing Lines. Photography by Gregory Lorenzutti.