Calibration / The Stain Game / The Tilting game

Examples of durational process works performed alone in the studio.

Calibration 2006

One section of a tree branch, a small hand knife, one ream of A2 paper, and a bowl of Indian ink. Kneepads and additional hand-strapping.

Rules: Using only a hand knife, cut the wood block into a centered, rotating top within 24 sessions. After each cutting session dip the wood block in ink and spin it, use the resulting drawing as a gauge for further cutting. Number each drawing and collect all wood shavings produced during the session.

The Stain Game 1995

One broken cricket stump with an attached leather strap. One antique dartboard. A circular mat, made up of random book pages arranged in a radiating pattern. One pair of used rugby boots with sprigs. One used cricket pad and bat. Three teacups and an unlimited supply of earl grey tea, blue writing ink and mechanics grease. All objects except the circular mat must be dusted in powered graphite.

Rules: Wearing the greased cricket pad and boots with the strap attached to one ankle the performer must drag one knee in concentric circles towards the middle of the board while balancing cups of tea and ink on the up turned cricket bat. Tea and ink must be refilled upon spillage. The process is repeated until all three tea cups have smashed.

The Tilting Game 1996

One 3m x 2m canvas blackboard, one chair with front legs cut 2 inches shorter than the back legs. Unlimited supply of graphite pencils.

Rules: The performer must balance on the chair for the time it takes to fill the whole blackboard with the repeated, pencil written line 'I will not lie’. No part of the body may touch the floor for the duration of the process.