Little Flutters

It’s been six months since our backpacking globe-trotting adventure. Looking back now, I can remember some universal truths that I learnt.

1. Bread will surprisingly sustain you, even if you don’t get four servings of vegetables a day, you will survive. Cheap carbs can sustain you.
2. A badly packed 2kg backpack will feel like 10kg. A properly packed 15kg backpack will feel like 2kg.
3. Every big city is kind of the same.
4. Every small town is uniquely different.
5. Never be afraid to ask for directions. Strangers will not bite your head off.
6. Wifi is very, very important.
7. You can get by on a lot less. Don’t buy things that you don’t really need.
8. Brightly coloured clothes will fade in a short amount of time when worn every second day.
9. Travel with someone you love – cause even the love of your life will piss you off over extended periods of time. At least with them you can be frank.
10. You do not need a plug for sinks. Most hostels have such disgusting sinks you’re going to be washing clothes close to the tap and brushing teeth on tippy toes.
11. Take thongs everywhere.
12. Bring headphones and music.
13. Planning will save you money and time.
14. Newspapers make you feel connected to the world.
15. Parks make you feel connected to the earth.

Today I went wedding dress shopping. Apart from my fear of wearing white, I had to deal with saleswomen that should have been promoting used cars. I found myself being squeezed into Disney-sized dresses while being handed business cards and my subdued protests were generally ignored.

At the end of the day, the only person I really wanted to give my business to was a woman* who turned me away. She encouraged me to look around, she gave options, she didn’t rush me into purchasing her product. She asked questions.

She chose to inform, rather than make a quick buck.

Because of that – she had staying power in my mind. She differentiated herself.

While I would love to draw comparisons to her style and using blogging as a vehicle, I think this is a more general concept that surpasses social media.

It is distinctly human to give business to people we like and trust. And you earn trust, ironically, by informing others of your competition and letting them know all their options.

I now have an appointment with her in two weeks.

*Her name is Leigh Tang and she has a store called Paris Bridal Boutique. I would link to it but she doesn’t seem to have a site.

It was a complete fluke that on a Saturday morning I found myself squeezing through two naked people with my laptop in one hand and camera in the other.

It was exhilarating to be so unsure of myself and to challenge my concept of personal space in such a direct way. I brushed against the woman’s tit with the back of my arm and apologised. It must have been over in two seconds.

This is how I entered Marina Abramović’s The Artist is Present exhibition at the MOMA in May 2010. The naked people piece was called Imponderabilia and it should be noted that when it was originally performed it was the only entrance to the museum and the distance between the two people was greatly reduced, MOMA increased the width in the reenactment and provided an alternative entrance. I was getting personal-confrontation-lite.

It’s very easy to mock Abramović’s work. She harms herself in almost all of her pieces: she’s carved a pentacle into her stomach, laid naked on ice and passed out due to carbon dixoide. Her longest, most recent piece involved her sitting in a big open space and inviting members of the public to sit across from her. She did this every day for three months for seven to ten hours at a time. No drinking, eating or peeing.

But there’s a level of calmness in everything she does and I think that carries across to the viewer. Some of her work is quite confronting to watch, even if it’s grainy black and white footage, there’s an intensity.

Two of my favourite artists, Björk and Lady Gaga are avid fans. Björk sat for the latest piece and her picture is on flickr along with the majority of people that participated. There was an interesting social media bonding that occurred within the participants. They have Facebook groups, tumblrs and an avid fan made a book that he presented to Abramović. It’s interesting to see how this random selection of people have created a sub culture that revolves around her piece.

I love how Björk seems so human and intimate in this image.

I’ve been thinking of Marina alot since The Artist is Present. When I went to the exhibition, I knew nothing about her, still don’t, her autobiographical statements are very selective. But her boldness inspires me. More so, the way she continues to test her own boundaries. When I remember her exhibition, I want to do more with my life.