Territory, 2023
Dblspce Residency: Exercise of Putting on
Mixed Media:
Used objects donated by the interviewees in the Peninsula Shopping Center (garment bag, Columbia shirt, fishing rod, fishing line), tapes, stool, curtain tracks, and thread.
Territory
Characters: commander, wearer, taper
Participant 1&2
Both the commander and the wearer exercised extreme caution; in this circumstance, the wearer also served as a taper. The commander urged the wearer to face the directions while lifting the rollers to reduce the strain when the wearer discovered destinations with straight paths in various directions. The commander remained near the roller during this time. The commander was a cautious teacher rather than a tyrannical controller; the wearer obeyed his instructions but was free to go beyond them. In general, these two were well-balanced.
Participant 3&4&5
The situation became chaotic at one point when the commander had complete control of the entire scene, and the wearer was less aware of the tension on their body. At that time, the taper discursively carried out the task when the commander gave the order. The wearer took the most straightforward possible forward and backward steps. The activity resulted in two parallel markings on the floor synchronising the position of the garment without attempting diagonal or circular movements, and the materials were under such intense tension that they nearly broke.
Participant 6&7&8
The easygoing commander launched effortlessly and let loose the string as far as it would allow movement to the side of the area; the wearer and the taper joined forces and silently moved along the rectangular wall space. The tapes were torn into different lengths using the tapers' artistic intuition and arranged in combinations on the floor, then on the wall, as the wearer loosely enlarged the territory. The commander took a break while seated on a little stool and spinning the cord roll.
Participant 9&10
When a couple engages in the activity, the atmosphere seems super relaxed, likely due to their daily practice of dual roles. Interestingly, the commander stepped away from the initial position next to the wall to the corner of the space while unrolling the cord. After experimenting with intercrossing paths with the wearer, the commander toggles the responsibility to be the taper by keeping the cord in place and walking towards the wearer. The wearer played the self as a robotic character to demonstrate submission, hands spontaneously raised when attaching to the wall as if being arrested. Like an expedition, the couple explored the possibilities of capturing and governing territory as a team.
Participant 11&12&13
Like flying or paragliding, the wearer intended to explore the farthest destination after conducting a ‘proper’ attempt a few steps in front of the original point; the commander stayed at the default position, gently operated the cord and allowed the wearer to explore. The taper is curious and observant of the shape of the garment. Eventually, the wearer reached the farthest point outside the room with one right turn and one left turn, thanks to the team’s support.
Participant 14&15&16
The taper was active in the beginning and left three marks on the departure position of the wearer; the second mark was placed on top of the first one, and the third was situated on the lower right of the previous ones. Meanwhile, the commander was leaning on the wall, chilling but not letting the thread easily be released. The wearer was taking time to explore with the complete opening of the back collar(meaning the tension is strong). The taper fulfilled the duty at a good pace while the commander smoothly let go of what was in their hands. The wearer rolled the self towards the original point on the way back.
Participants 17&18&19
It was like a playground; the commander was pulling the cord just as raising a flag while the taper chased the wearer to tape his mouth. The wearer fought back by using his head to hit the taper, but unfortunately, he almost choked himself by circulating with the cord. Then, they moved to the corner, jumped several times to reach the highest point, and left a tape mark torn by the taper’s mouth. In the meantime, the commander enjoyed the entertaining scene of the two and ensured the length allowed the movement; the wearer soon sought new challenges by isolating himself outside of the space, and he called the taper out and left a mark on the window indicating the farthest point where his hands can reach.
Participants 20&21&22
At first, the commander shortened the cord almost to put the wearer on the wall and swiftly released the wearer to ensure the capacity to move with several steps. However, the wearer indulged himself in figuring out the mechanism of the force; he was walking around and observing without haste. For a moment, the taper and the commander seemed to forget their duties. Later, the wearer stroked to the window side; the cord almost cut the taper’s head, so they wrapped up in a few minutes with only one mark left on the floor.