Paul Robson Ol’ Man River from http://www.musicstack.com/album/paul+robeson/ol’+man+river
For this week’s session we were asked to develop a performance text on one, or both, of the tasks we were given in the session. I developed a piece on the object that speaks unspeakable history. Paul Robeson by Jacob Epstein was my object and I chose it because Paul Robeson was an African American political activist and I felt that this was a period of history people are often uncomfortable discussing. I took inspiration from Krzysztof Wodiczko: Monument Project and decided I would have the sculpture talking with passers-by. As well as this I would have speakers placed in various locations around the piece to create the illusion that the voices and responders were everywhere. The aim of my piece was to develop dialogues that would discuss Robeson’s life but also show a diverse range of opinions on the man and what he did.
Following the session last week I went and did some intense research on Robeson’s life in order to make a factually accurate text but also one that would appear unbiased. I looked into his career as an actor, singer and performer but also his involvement in the Harlem Resistance and the Communist Party. This enabled me to devise the following:
Performative Text
Using a projection Paul Robeson bust would appear to come to life. The room would be rigged with speakers from which various recorded voices would play. It would begin to catch the attention of passers-by by singing “Old Man River” from Showboat by Paul Robeson.
Robeson –
Laughing Who am I? Well I am Paul Leroy Robeson, born April 9th 1898. Famous for that very song. Had an interesting life as I was the third African-American student to ever be enrolled at Rutgers College. I tried out for the Scarlet Knights while I was there and made the team.
Robeson is broken up with intermittent chat from various voices providing other opinions and voices on what was happening at the time. All these voices are coming from different speakers creating the sense of them surrounding the artwork.
Various Voices of teammates – echoing from different speakers
Eh what you doing here?
We don’t want your sort playing with us?
All we did was break his nose
Voice of Coach –
Don’t worry Robeson you got some real talent. I can see you going far.
I’m afraid we can’t play you this match. The other team are from the south. They won’t play if you do. Sorry kid.
Robeson –
I was even recognised in The Crisis. I went to the Columbia School of Law after that and during that time I met Essie Goode.
Voice of a cynics –
Yeah, but how long did you practice law for?
No room for you in the courtroom.
Robeson –
Eslanda, after much convincing, was the one who got me into the theatre – Simon in Simon of Cyrene.
Eslanda –
Oh c’mon you are a born performer. You will own that stage. Think of all the roles you could play. All the people you could be. I’ll be your manager. You will rise to fame.
Robeson –
I have been in Showboat, All God’s Chillun Got Wings, Othello and many more.
Voice of Critic –
He was the first African American to play Othello with an all-white supporting cast on Broadway. Now ain’t that something.
He’s alright. Still don’t want to include black people in it. Not my sport.
Robeson –
Even made it into the film industry thanks to my Essie. Though it started to damage my reputation, I needed to stay true to my country.
Commissioner of Nigeria to London –
It’s slanderous to his country. Sanders of the River is too obvious and stereotypical. It’s an embarrassment.
Critics –
This film will make Paul Robeson a star!
International fame is what I see in his future.
Robeson –
I took an interest in African history and culture and went to the School of Oriental and African Studies and with the anti-Imperialism movement I got to see Germany and Moscow. I felt real at home in Russia. I am a human being for the first time in my life … I walk in full human dignity.
Nazi German Commentators –
He is not the same as us. Not part of the superior race… but I mean he isn’t like a Jewish man, but still not superior
Russian Commentators –
He came with the Comitern. So he had his politics right.
Robeson –
I was brought up about my association with the communists… twice. First time, I denied it. Second time I refused to answer. Many people have gone to jail over this and I will join them if I got to.
Tenney Committee –
Have you any association with the CPUSA?
Do you have any association with any members of the CPUSA?
What happened when you were in Russia?
Robeson –
I stood up for what I believed. I was forced to work overseas. I gave a speech at the World Peace Council, hoping for some help, but all it did was convince America I was an enemy. I ended up blacklisted.
Ol’ Man River quietly begins to play again increasing in volume.
I was part of a dark period of history. I had little rights but was blessed with the chance to pursue what I wanted. Well as far as America would let me. As soon as I took in interest in the wrong thing, I was out.
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All the performance texts were then presented to each other in our chosen sites. We were asked to make comments on each of the performances in order to reflect upon our own work. There was a huge variety of work that both engaged the class physically and mentally and was related to general concepts as well as specific works. From this I found that the work that engaged and communicated with the audience was more effective and enjoyable as an audience member and so caused me to question my own text; that was just presenting information in an interesting way and not engaging. I felt like I need to take advantage of the space more as it felt that the freedom of interacting with the whole room, instead of one object, gave the audience a choice and so personalised the experience for them. From this the performance would become more of an engagement with the space rather than a historical account. I do feel a strong point for my performance was the level of research I undertook as I felt it brought intelligence to the piece however perhaps be less reliant on facts to carry my piece.
I felt like the session was eye-opening as it helped broaden my understanding of Site-Specific Performance. The task, although initially difficult, was helpful as it allowed me the chance to interact with the space as gave the class an opportunity to see the possibilities the space had to offer. It has helped me towards my final performance as I have a decided what experience I want to create for my audience from my final performance.
Cited:
Image-
http://www.musicstack.com/album/paul+robeson/ol’+man+river [Accessed 07/02/15}]
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