A solo performance-art ritual event where all who enter the space become participants

Sharmila Nezovic is a multi-disciplinary artist. She is both a contemporary abstract painter in oils and mixed media on canvas, as well as a practitioner of live-art performance. Her first ever performance-art work was in 1980 at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne. She has created many more, ever since. She says the performance-art works stem directly from her painting concepts, as 3-dimensional explorations using her body and voice in time and space, instead of only sticking to paint-brushes and oils. 

Tell us about the show in 100 words or less

‘101 Ways to Stare at a Wall’ is a 50-minute, solo performance-art ritual event devised especially for Anywhere Festival. It is an immersive performance, where all who enter the space become participants. The end result relies heavily on everyone’s input being creatively expressed. Though the starting point is building on the main, urban environmental theme which stems from her paintings, there are several unusual twists. Especially that this time she has deliberately worked with the Laws of Chance, by throwing dice, over and over again, to decide all staging decisions! Participants will be invited to do the same!

Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?

The Black Box space at Elements Collective has a modern warehouse feel. And, the Valley is a beaut place to be on a Saturday night! And, because EC is one of Anywhere Festival’s chosen hubs, that means there’ll be other performances on in it’s other spaces on the same night. It’s an inviting, centrally located, venue with plenty of parking stations nearby. It is surrounded by the pulse of clubs, live music and dining – great things to tap into before &/or afterwards. It’s Foyer Bar is another plus to definitely add even more to the festival vibe.

What is your creative process like?

 Interesting question. Because, though I have been pretty involved with performance since I was a teenager, my live-art performance does not stem specifically from a drama or theatrical base! I am first and foremost, a Visual Artist. I like to take the ideas from inside my paintings, off the walls and challenge myself with ritualising those concepts in performative ways. And in doing so, I hope to bring audiences with me, on journeys of creative thought, inspiring possible shifts in personal perspectives.

Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?

 This too is an interesting question, as ‘101 Ways to Stare at a Wall’, originally began as a provocative 8-minute performance event! It has actually been inspired by a particular piece of post-war avant-garde music, written by the iconic experimental US composer, John Cage. He liked to work with the Laws of Chance – ‘Indeterminancy - to help him compose his works, and I thought I might try that too! So, all stage directives have been worked out by the throwing of dice…  And, it has now been expanded in layers, to fill approx. one hour!

Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?

I think anyone interested in experimental art, for starters. If the idea of art-based performance (rather than drama-based performance) intrigues you. And anyone who is excited about immersive theatre, where audience members become participants. People into abstract art. And definitely if you know of and are fascinated by the amazing Marina Abramovic, acknowledged Grandmother of Performance Art. Or, if John Cage’s music and composition processes are your thing. But, regardless, simply if you just want to see what happens to a performance when you throw the dice yourselves and where your own contribution matters. 

Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?

Due to Corona virus, the space limit is only 40 people max, so bookings are strongly advised. The Foyer Bar will open at 8pm, and doors will open 5-minutes before the start at 9pm sharp.

‘101 Ways to Stare at a Wall’ takes place as part of Anywhere Festival on Sat 22 May, 2021 at Elements Collective.

Image credit: Sulja Raam