“Table Top Discussion”by Maryam Baber

Side Specific Performance

Table Top Discussion”

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Research project by Maryam Baber (Ph.D course work-1 s t term studio practice) On 3 r d February 2015 Performers: Jurors, MS and PhD scholars Venue- Space as medium: Library IDVA/LCWU Interactive glossary: Eco Friendly Technology i.e. Emergency Light, Mobiles, Lending down bodies looking at work Maryam Baber considers her as free medium artist; she took advantages of available recourses and called this process of art making, ECO Friendly Installation. Or contemporary curatorial Practices where there was use of “Table top” for the display of miniatures, instead of Gallery walls. It was an interactive art performance.

However, all the jurors and MS scholars were considered as they performing to seek a sight of paintings. The whole aura was fixed with keenness. They lend toward paintings, they move their bodies to see. The dark space give the direction to the spectators to utilize their Mobile lights and a single emergency light was used to see work. When they were struggling to view work at that time Maryam announced, that “you are my performers and welcome to the “table top discussion” a site specific performance venue”. She took privilege of space and categorized the performance “space as medium” In a closed library there was dark, automatically there was “electricity default”, which also help to add a new taste in the interactive medium.

The new medium was explored by applying sense of freedom for the spectators to move

and see the work according to their desires and ease.

The anti-thesis contextualization was there in the form of breaking the “Pre-Perceive Perception”. For example miniatures are always been display in light because of its traditional sensitive lines and hue application. But on 3rd February, miniatures were display in dark. And the technology of mobile and emergency light was use to see the work. Secondly the jurors were not well informed by the artist medium and venue.

For a moment, they were shocked by getting the concept that they are medium and venue of execution was totally irrational.

Everything was curate uncertainly, but there was a constant improvisation between environment, props and performers.

In an interview she asked by some senior scholars that “Maryam how would you use your Curatorial Practices in art studio”.

Conversely this irrational curatorial exercise is a response of those comments she received from the art circle. Where there is balance between apathy and metaphysical reactions, mind and human behaviors, rituals and sense of admiration to uncommon factors.