Timberlina Wants Feedback

Tues 9th, Weds 10th and Tues 16th, Wed 17th of March in the ArtBar

What is Timberlina?  Is it a product or is she an extension of personality?  Or is it just Tim dressing up? As products increasingly symbolise our freedom through consumption and personal identity still remains a taboo issue, just who are we?

 

As a consciencious artist with the possible impending opportunity to SELL OUT in this crazy climate of rampant individiualism with no responsibility, it says less about who we are as different cogent individuals than about identifying the unique purchase power. In a time were compassion is dying but money is everything, just who does Timberlina think she is, both as artist and product?

 

 

With these 3 dilemmas in mind, the artist Tim Redfern seeks to adopt a critical evaluation of self through the medium of performance and drag.

 

Over a series of performance participation happenings, Timberlina aims to take a look at herself through the eyes of her spectators (consumers).

 

The objective of these happenings is to explore notions of audience expectation, participation and/or reaction to Timberlina (the product) in her evolving role in the ArtBar over a series of shifts.

At each shift, Timberlina undertakes a matter of fact duty, such as clearing tables and serving customers.  As a matter of course, Timberlina will be observing and documenting the reactions of customers to her. 

 

Observations will be collated through video documentary and recording of process as well as targeted evaluation forms distributed to audience members along with necessary disclaimers as appropriate, and pending the outcome of video documentation format and distributing (ie will it be vox pops or will it be video footage)

 

The responses, undertaken as feedback will in turn provide Timberlina with critical feedback with regards to the infrastructure and planning of Timberlina versus the public image and delivery of Timberlina.

 

See responses:

 

The outcome is intended as an opportunity for the artist (Tim) to examine the form (Timberlina) more subjectively and to develop the product (Timberlina), but also that the engagement in process to establish the feedback is in itself a study on the part of the artist as performer and product.

 

The exercise also provides a covert method to explore pubic perception to sexuality and gender.

 

Evaluation forms will not necessarily be anonymous (at the discretion of each critic).  They will take different forms according to the field of criticism- they might reflect visual signifiers of the brand, and invite spectators to comment and design outfits for Timberlina.  Other formats will be tick boxes relating to spectators reaction and thoughts not just about Timberlina but also about their own perspective on the subject. 

 

The feedback will be on napkins and on a public notice board regarding Timberlina's appearance, attitude and skills.

 

http://www.beingtimberlina.blogspot.com/