Absent/Presence

Description:

This performance was originally titled and planned as Living The Sacraments and Chakras, referencing Linda Montano's seven-year performance work in which she lived in the seven colours of the chakras. 

However, Montano was unable to travel due to bad weather and her responsibilities as the primary caregiver for her ailing father. Montano devised an alternative performance, staying true to her “art/life” approach, that did not require her to be physically present. Living the Sacraments and Chakras was retitled Absent/Presence, with Jean Smith performing as Montano. Smith read Montano’s “Seven Chakra Stories” dressed in the corresponding colours of the chakras, while Lana O’Keefe appeared as Montano’s healer/dancer persona “Guru Leendah” and roamed through the audience offering blessings, healing energies, and massages during the performance.

A split-screen projection showed the on-stage activities at Western Front and a mock live feed documenting Montano actively and intimately caring for her elderly father, that was pre-recorded for the performance. 

Halfway through the performance, a telephone connection was set up to speak live with Montano. Four audience members were invited to ask questions about the video, her current location, and topics relating to art, reality television, and the everyday.

This performance was also included in Acts of Transfer, an index of performance art by women in Western Front’s archives as well as the Contemporary Ritual Series curated by Victoria Singh. 

Video documentation available upon request.