Text response

Drawing is (re-)enactment. So too is out response to drawing. Whether we are initially concerned with the mimetic function of the drawn line or with its calligraphic qualities as ornament, one aspect of its existence remains central: the line (or mark) is a direct record of the draftsman's gesture. On a fundamental level, it involves us as viewers, in the kinesthetics of the act of drawing; its qualities of direction, velocity, weight, its rhythm, pace, and inflection stand as permanent trace of the movement of the artist's hand - and of the body of which that hand is an extension.  - David Rosand, Drawing Acts

In response to the acting body and Rosand's 'Drawing Acts' text, I worked the corporeal/ indexical substance of oil in a performance piece. I stumbled upon working with oil in class one week when I was kneeling over my roll of cardboard. I found that the oil I use to moisturise my legs was transferred onto the drawing, leaving evidence of me having been there. This personal act of moisturising, and the strong connection oil has with the body, led my choice to work with oil. In the performance piece I filmed, I rubbed oil onto my hands, knees and feet and applied this onto the roll of cardboard, with emphasis on the kinesthetics of the act of drawing, as informed by Rosand's 'Drawing Acts' excerpt. I like the idea that the oil acts as a trace of the performance, leaving residue and evidence of my having been there. Shaun Gladwell's movement pieces, as well as Jaanika Peerna performance art informed these projects. In addition, the aesthetics of Cai Guo Qiang's drawings, David Hammon's use of oil and Yves Klein's use of the body as an indexical imprint also played a large role in this project. Throughout the majority of these projects, I was feeling quite lost, confused and unsure about what my final piece would turn out to be. It took a lot of courage for me to put myself in front of a camera and perform, especially because I didn't know how it would turn out. But I think it was successful and I am relatively happy with the outcome.