CLEANING THE ROOM

Basement Theatre (Season of Durational works)

Auckland, New Zealand 

7 March 2020

 

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Today I will work on my art. But first, I must vacuum the floor. And mop it. The more I think about it, I think it’s best that I clean this entire room. Then I will do my art. 

 

Cleaning the Room is a four-hour interactive durational performance where one woman attempts to clean the entire space before she can do her art. 

 

I've seen women insist on cleaning everything in the house before they could sit down to write... and you know it's a funny thing about housecleaning... it never comes to an end. Perfect way to stop a woman. A woman must be careful to not allow over-responsibility to steal her necessary creative rests, riffs, and raptures. She simply must put her foot down and say no to half of what she believes she "should" be doing. Art is not meant to be created in stolen moments only.

 - Clarrisa Pinkola Estes

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Awards

Spirit of the Fringe, Auckland Fringe 2020 (shared)

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Directed and performed by Olivia Mahood

Co-produced by Poppy Serano