段英梅 · Yingmei Duan

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Observer on the bar

Duration: 2 days, for each day 6 hours

Hebbeltheater in Berlin, Germany, 2005

Photographer: Juergen Kuck

Live performance

During my performance I observe the audience, and at the same time the audience observes me. I am at one, performer and audience.

The audience enters the bar of the theatre. They order sth to drink and chat. The waitress at the bar serves them friendly. I sit on the bar like a doll. I pull my legs to my body to appear very small and watch the people with concentration through my large glasses. I wear everyday clothes and over my shoulder I carry a white linen bag which is full of things, as if I were on the way to an appointment or had just come back from shopping. The visitors smile at me. Within some time they notice that I am observing them and recognize me as Performer.