matthew goulish : lecture in the shape of a bridge collapsing


Abstract:
First delivered by three speakers at the launch of 'The Institute of Failure Studies' - a joint initiative by the author and Tim Etchells of Forced Entertainment, this 'Lecture' makes a case for failure as a crucial mode by which we come to know the world. With its structure approximating that of the bridge whose collapse initiates a catalogue of failures and the bizarre turns of fate to which they invariably give rise, the piece is a further manifestation of the author's writings 'in proximity of performance'. Here, a theme of witnessing failure links many of the disparate examples, and questions are asked regarding the proclivity of failed gestures to engender other gestures, whose status as failed or successful remains ambiguous.

Matthew Goulish is a writer and performer with the Chicago-based group Goat Island. '39 microlectures - in proximity of performance', a collection of his writings on performance and related topics, is published by Routledge.

Related links:
http://www.goatislandperformance.org
http://www.institute-of-failure.com

Contact:
gtislnd@interaccess.com

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