Leading up to our final performance, we decided to test out our ‘signs’. We have decided on three definate signs; Can we hug?, Can we High-five? and Can I compliment you?. These three worked really well on our site. We gained a lot of positive feedback from our experiement and the reaction we wanted. Unfortuneatly our other options of signs did not work as well, Can I lend an ear? and Can I help you? This may be as they are very open and the public feel uncomfortable and that these signs are less approachable. The idea of conversing with a complete stranger is one that is quite alien to the public especially on the high street as people are set in a routine. This is what we as a group are trying to liberate the public from, therefore having the fourth sign still as a conversational gift I believe is still a good idea. It may just be the way we present the sign is more welcoming.
When on our site, I used the ‘can we hug?’ sign. I recieved a good reaction from this, some as expected just gave a quick hug with no talking and carried on with their daily routine. This is still a good outcome for us as we have broken their everyday cycle. On the other hand, other members of the public stopped and asked us what we were doing then recieved the hug and thanked me for “brightening their day”. I encountered two older ladies (shown in video) who asked what I was doing, after I explained one gave me a hug yet the other was originally quite reluctant. After seeing her friend recieve a hug and the positive reaction she changed her mind and decided to join in too. Both thanked me for brightening their day and went on to appologise that they “were not 20 year old, young men”. We both shared laughter and they went on with their day. It was really nice to see how much a simple action like a hug can make a difference to someones mood and routine.
Although several memebers of the public did not join in, most stared and smiled or discussed what we were doing amongst themselves. Which again is still creating the overall outcome we wanted.
The four signs should lead on from each other up the high street, potentially decreasing seperation the further up you go. “The Phenomenon of seperation is part of parcel of the unity of the world” (Debord, 13)
Debord, G. (2008) The Society of the Spectacle. First Edition. New York: Zone Books.