ensemble performance | 1993
Triggered by a chime, ten naked performers suddenly appear on the balcony of the V&A library reading room to the audience on the ground. Like mechanical figures on an astrological clock they perform a timed sequence of orchestrated movements. One of these is to raise and lower books to reveal and conceal their faces as they alternately mutter or glance at one another in silence. A man with his eyes closed appears at the top of staircase and strikes the chime to signal a change in action for each of the ten sections.
Bookworks launch for Cornelia Parker, The National Art Library, V&A, London 1993.
Performed by Peter Arnold, Richard Dean, Jane Devoy, Ed Fellows, Anoushka Grose, Nadia Kitouni, Diana Lorenzo-Saxby, Maryn Lucas, Helen Silverlock and Nicholas White.