Trans-formation

Trans-formation
A performance exploring death, decay, & hope with sculpture, poetry, wax, electronics, & water

Trans-formation

Trans-formation
Trans-formation is a performance piece comprised of 5 wax torsos embedded with ceramic heating elements. The bodies are suspended from the ceiling on stings, raised & lowered by pulleys. The staging depicted here was at Vermont College of Fine Arts, winter 2013.

The Gathering
The audience gathers around the bodies. A body is chosen randomly by an audience member by selecting a color-coded tag. The tag is matched to the body & the body is plugged into circuitry to control the melting. The body is raised & a bowl of water is placed beneath. A poem is read, & the melting proceeds in silence.

Trans-formed Body

Trans-formed Body
After the melting is complete, the wax in the bowl of water is gently removed by the acolytes & distributed to the audience in small amounts. Some audience members hold tightly to the wax, others (spontaneously & without prompting) sculpt the wax into tiny figures & leave them at the performance site.

The Remains
The remains of the bodies are left to hang in the performance space. Over the course of several days, gravity takes it's steady toll & the bodies further decay, falling to the ground in a heap of wax, wires, wood, & string.

Trans-formation
A recording of the Trans-formation performed January 27, 2013 at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

© paul tonnes