juliet chia : lighting design


original work



EXERCISES FOR THE BODY POLITIC
conceived by Juliet Chia & David Evans Morris

Exercises for the Body Politic is a series of performances imagined as workout routines for the various skills used in civic dialogue. By exploring different modes of presentation, narrative, and audience interaction within the performances, we seek to exercise our faculties for listening, thinking and talking about social issues.

Constitutional considers our political system through a series of short interactions with the Constitution. Thirteen tables in a room, five minutes to spend at each table. Thirteen views of this document which sits at the center of American political life. What are the words of the Constitution? What do they mean? Why is legal language so boring? Do we need to know what it actually says? Why? And what do Jimmy Stewart, Captain Kirk, and Batman have to do with any of this? Thirteen tables, thirteen performances. Some are slick, some are loud, some are pompous, some are shy. They might be charming and smooth, or nasty, brutish and short. One or two could even get you really excited. Thirteen tables, thirteen attempts to find a way in. Think of it as speed-dating the Constitution.

Routine Hearing is a dance to warm the masses on a cold winter's night. A new original score featuring the luminaries of political oratory–the golden oldies of Goldwater and McGovern and the modern sounds of Limbaugh and Moore pulse through the headphones. Enjoy a glass of wine, a game of cards and the company of your fellow citizens in this auditory grand ballet. Routine Hearing hits shuffle on the political soundtrack of 21st century America – to whom will you lend your ears?


Exercises for the Body Politic website