JUST YELL:
WALK WITH ME #1
MCA CHICAGO
The 30 folding chair desks installed were used for the performance WALK WITH ME #3. at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago. 25 Young Chicago poets sat at each of the desks and carved their poetry into the surface while viewers walked around and between viewing over their shoulders.
When compelled, a writer would ask the viewer to go for a walk. In this way, the traditional system of power was broke, as the seated youth was now asking the adult to leave the room. This loss of power and unexpected invitation, enabled the viewer to open, to become vulnerable and sensitive as they were unsure of what would happen next.
On the walk, the poet would perform a spoken word piece, face to face with the viewer. The viewer then became inside the work, often others gathered to watch the exchange.
When the poet finished the piece, the viewer was left to process the exchange and the poet would return to their desk to continue carving and invite another viewer on a walk. Often the poet would lead the viewer to an artwork in the Museum that would connect with and build upon the depth of the poem. The viewer would then be able to continue reflecting through the artwork.