I held a banquet for any and all
persons that wished to attend in the Downtown Eastside area of
the city. The Downtown Eastside has experienced an influx of problems
such as drug addiction and dealing, HIV infection, prostitution,
crime, lack of adequate housing, high unemployment. (City of Vancouver http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/planning/dtes/dtehome.htm)
My artist fee was used to prepare and hire a caterer, admit all guests free of charge and purchase all banquet supplies. All remaining funds were then donated back to Western Front Gallery. After the guests had left the banquet, huge platters of food were then created and seven guests, including the curator, Victoria Singh, went out into the Eastside area of Vancouver, and passed out food and desserts to the homeless.
The menu was as follows:
Smoked Salmon and Chive pastry rolls.
Chickpea hommous with pita bread triangles
Tortilla cups with black bean and Jack cheese
Deluxe open and closed type cocktail sandwiches on white and brown
bread
filled with a variety of meats, (roast beef, salami, pastrami,
chicken breast)
fish (tuna smoked salmon)
and non meat. (eggs, cheese)
Brie on baguettes
Assorted bruschetta
Mini profiteroles from France filled with Peruvian Chocolate mousse
Traditional Nanaimo bars
Fruit punch ( grapefruit, orange and berry with sparkling soda)
served in wine glasses
Served on silver platters.
White linen tablecloths, silver candelabra, fresh bouquets of
flowers
(Catered by Regency Caterers)
The performance subverts ideas of traditional theatre; clichés of climax and conclusion and the traditional information structure. Working with non-matrixed performative structures based more on audience relationship and the potential for transformation, Liminal Acts makes reference to the writings of anthropologist Victor Turner, specifically his theories associated with "the betwixt and between of the liming"
Richard Rohr, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. and a Franciscan priest, says that sacred space is by definition liminal space. here we are capable of seeing something beyond self interest-self will and security concerns. True sacred space allows an alternative consciousness to emerge. Sacred space he says allows you to live with paradox, mystery and even evil. Inside of sacred space you are indestructible even though you feel quite vulnerable. Inside of sacred space you can weep for the bigger evil of which both sides are victims. Inside of sacred space you can imagine an alternative universe because you have been there. Inside of sacred space you can dare to imagine you can hear God. Inside of sacred space you can see things in new ways. ( Hope Against Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety 2001).