23rd March 2003, Sunday, spring is out.
Schouburgplein from 14.30 to 16.20
No team

Today I left my headquarters- Piet Zwart- not feeling so confident, the noise of the box rolling through the pavement annoyed me, and all these people looking, it felt a bit awkward. Why don’t I just go for ice cream instead? Why? Because I am completely committed to this structure, and I am still not finished with it, there’s still a lot to discover and I start to want to make some changes about it. But yes, today I didn’t fell quite empowered by the structure, actually the other way around.

I wanted to go to this square, exactly because it’s a beautiful Sunday and I know a lot of young people gather there. So it’s not only a crossing place, but also a place where, when it good weather people sit and just hang out.

I got there, found my spot, start putting the platform up, this always attracts the bystanders, so I got a huge crowd of, I guess, Turkish youngster around. Then It remind me of what it might be of today, the decision of coming here, the knowledge of who hangs out in this square, I was afraid of not being able to deal with this young boys. I had it before (when the structure was a card box) that they tried to test the limits of the offer being made by the structure – chose a puppet and play- and kicked it, put it down, throw the puppets, rubbing them in their genitalia, whatever.

At the moment, the war being fought, the polemic characters portrayed, for a while things went quite above my control. The structure was kicked on the spot where the face of bush is glued, spit on, scratched, puppets were being taken, hidden in their underwear, I was trying to bring them to reason, explaining that this was for everyone to express their opinions, feelings, whatever, but for that same motive, I would like the puppets to be returned so others could also use them. When I was already thinking, -ok, they won! One of the boys start apologizing and returning me the dolls, putting them back to place, and all this teen, macho demonstration was done, and then it became more of what I was expecting of this day.

Sunday. A family day, people go out with the children, friends, and sit in the sun, play football, and eat French fries. The afternoon went pretty much like that, children wanting to play, but not being able to reach the opening on the structure, parents helping them, playing along. At this point I have to say that I was also sitting in the sun, as one of the parents, watching over my puppet theatre. The boys from the rough beginning were in their spot, quiet. Couples stopping, commenting to each other about the puppets, and whenever someone would take the step to play, a few people gathered to see it better. A group that was sitting next to me for quite a long time got to curious, decided to sent a scout, that brought the puppet of Saddam back for close inspection. My heart accelerated, not again!

Almost at my wrapping up for the day, another “lively” boy, after playing for his friends, surveyed the area a bit, and got himself ready to take Saddam with him, I rushed; just made a new one two days ago! Well he explained he liked it too much, kind of souvenir to play later at home. Again I explained I want everyone who wants to participate, to have chance to do so, with the complete set, therefore I must keep it. He agreed. Missed a teammate today!

And back again, the noise doesn’t annoy me anymore, and the curious gazes make me plan to stage it again. To try more places, unexpected ones.

posted by carla at 4:55 PM