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May 9, 2010

Detour: Color Commentator Eleanor LeBeau on Artist Arzu Ozkal #1

Posted in Category General

The Other White Cube: Eleanor LeBeau's Day Job Work Station

THE ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE: Day Two


05.06.10


6:08 a.m.

I wake excited and panicked. How am I going to pull off this play-by-play color commentary? I have obstacles, too:

1. Day Job

2. Distance from here to Oberlin

3. Access to Arzu

Plus another Big One: Is it even possible to document the creative process? Especially the creation of a performance? All I know is what Arzu tells me verbally and in writing. In the name of mischevious play, she could very well mislead me. There are no sketches or maquettes to give snapshots of her thoughts.

How does she work? Does she make notes? Write a performance score? Does it happen all in her head? I drink three cups of coffee (milk, no sugar). I listen to music"not NPRs morning news"on my commute to work. I dont need anything else to fill my head.

2:53 p.m

Im at Day Job. Arzu beams an email while shes in class at Oberlin:

I have some ideas forming. Shall we meet tomorrow night to discuss? I have to meet with a choreographer at 4 (yes for Detour), so it would have to be after 6, if thats okay with you.

A choreographer! What kind?

7:38 p.m.

I hit Arzus Web site to learn more about her work. I watch a half-dozen videos. I read everything, except for an article written in Turkish. Slam! Im shut out. Now thats a pedagogical moment. Heres a CliffsNotes version of her practice.

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