Projects > Punch Line - Live at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery

Murphy and Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts

Video and stills

Immediate Future
Dates: October 7 – December 12
Opening Reception: Friday, October 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
Locations: SFAC Gallery, 401 Van Ness
(at McAllister) and 155 Grove Street

Artist: Michael Barrett
Curator: Aimee Le Duc
Director of Documentary: Scott Bell
Director of Photography: Jeremy Parsons
Digital Images: Stavroula Kolitsopoulos
Ring Master: Killean Evans
Referee #1: Mike Gosbee
Referee #2: Cesar Vazquez

The goal of the performer is to control the balance of the platform while attempting to paint a straight line. While the performer struggle to achieve a straight line, the plane on which the performance occurs is ever changing making it more and more difficult to accomplish the goal. In addition, each time the performer attempts to achieve the goal of painting a straight line, he/she is subjected to the pain of being punched in the face. As the struggle continues, there is never a sense of accomplishment or balance achieved due to the self-imposed tension, pressure, and stress within the environment.