Credits:
A
big thank
you to the following people who helped with the first
production of ascii fighter Christine
Redfern, curator
Don Goodes, text
Jean-Philippe Thibault, video
Robert Prenovault, timekeeper
Kevin DeForest, corner person
JoAnne Balcaen,
corner person
Andrew Brouse, technologist
Anne Marie Leger, tickets
Jake Moore, bar
Shauna, bar
Phil Dickinson, Blue Cat boxing
Karen Trask, referee
Sally Scott, boxer
Paul Litherland, boxer
In
Toronto:
Diane
Borsato, corner person
Charlie Scott, corner person
Libby Hague, timekeeper
Julia Blushak, photography
Christine Redfern, video
John Sobol, organizer of digifest
Paola Poletto, organizer of digifest
Ed from the av company |
Short
text about ascii fighter:
Paul’s
friends are surprised these days when they find out that he’s
taken up boxing. “Boxing! What’s with that? Paul’s
such a nice guy.”
For him, boxing is a way to experience negotiation under the most difficult
and intense circumstances—trying not to get hurt yet trying to hit
back without wanting to hurt them. When he does take a hit the hardest
thing is to not let the despair affect the next moment, not take it personally,
the feelings of failure, not be overwhelmed by vulnerability, not break
down and cry. And when he lands a punch, not to feel superior, get caught
up in the power, not to admire the work, nor desire recognition. Because
these too distract and betray the intent of the match: a fair and exciting
exchange.
Paul leads us into the difficulties of being in his world. In ascii Fighter
we see him looking for a way to communicate honestly with us, while submerged
in the complex demands of technology and socialized human relations.
Paul Litherland is known for his quirky multimedia performances and video works.
Skydiving is one of the unusual activities that has appeared repeatedly
in his art. His new performance ascii Fighter introduces another extreme
sport: boxing. Many people are into thinking about intense experiences,
others like to just live them straight up. Paul does both.
He and sparring partner Sally Scott will be at the Design Exchange on May 13th,
2004, at 8:30 p.m., as part of the Digifest conference.
Text: Donald Goodes
|