Photo: Georgia Hall
HUMAN ELEVATOR
WITH AE101
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION-BASED INTERVENTION /PERFORMANCE
THE HAYES, CARDIFF, MARCH 2013
A performance initiated by Jason & Becky for Tiff Oben as part of Elbow Room’s Intercourse Project. Unsuspecting Cardiff shoppers were surrounded by a ‘Human Elevator’ - a formation of seven members of AE101 walking at the same speed as the victim, stopping when they stopped and changing direction when they did. The seventh member of the elevator carried a portable speaker
attached to an iPhone playing ‘elevator-style’ music in order to lighten the mood, aiming to make the victim feel less threatened.
The work raised questions regarding personal space and revealed interesting insights into the differing behaviours between individuals and groups. Lone shoppers nearly always reacted defensively, trying to leave the elevator through the walls, whereas couples and groups seemed amused, remaining inside the elevator for much longer, perhaps comforted by the safety of their friends and partners.