hw#3-Yoko Ono

       I have chosen Yoko Ono for my research on performance art. Specifically, "Cut Piece". It is a fairly well known piece, and automatically where my mind goes when I think of performance art. The piece was performed in 1965 at Carnegie Hall. She is sitting casually on the floor dressed in a black dress and stockings. There is a pair of scissors and audience members are invited to come up to Yoko Ono and cut a piece of cloth from her dress. The piece has been filmed from the audiences perspective and then from behind Yoko Ono's head. There is no music or filler, just the sounds of the audience and some white noise.
      This piece always stands out to me because it is so telling of the human condition. If you choose to watch the film it really sets you up for some true disappointment. Most of the audience has been quiet, respectful, taking small snips. Her top slowly disappears and she sits in her bra. Yoko Ono remains stoic. Then, a man comes up on stage and flourishes the scissors. He tells the audience, "this is going to take some time". He quite methodically and aggressively cuts the camisole off of her bra. She remains mostly impassive but the audience laughs some. When he snips her bra straps the mood changes and the audience hisses as Yoko Ono covers herself with her hands.

       This piece is disturbing to me, but it is not the inherent intention of the piece, rather the audiences response. It is an uncomfortable reaction to a fairly vague art piece. Having the piece so hijacked by an audience member changes any potential viewing openness. It is too strong to not react to, and makes me really reevaluate how much control you might have over performance art.