Occupy the Zoo: a numbers game
THE GAME
Audiences come upon the scene of a protest involving 3 soft sculpture animal groups and a flat screen tv. After being engaged in a conversation about what they see they will be invited to make one move on behalf of one group. Much like a never-ending life-sized chess game, each move will happen in sequence and may react, resist or further the previous move. Each group has different tools (see below)
FAQ
Q.Can you conspire with those around you to make a series of moves? A.yes Q.Can you try and bribe me to gain control of the game? A.Sure (money or food will bring you the best luck) Q.Can you find loopholes to manipulate the game? A.Of course, it’s politics!
THE PLAYERS
28 Woodpeckers
bird group:
a descent of woodpeckers
made from:
used street clothing, ribbons, buttons, beads, seeds, wire, leather, hair clips, etc.
representing:
various social movements / the character of friends and family
5 Peacocks
bird group:
a pride, a muster, an ostentation of peacocks
made from:
police uniforms, army fatigues, camera lenses, gold stars, flags, sequence, leather and wire
representing:
the police / military
9 Crows
bird group:
a murder of crows
an unkindness of ravens
made from:
satin robes, lace, leather, wire, ribbons, lining and buttons
representing:
the supreme court
the political sphere
1 Media Outlet
bird group:
none/all
(Are you suggesting the media is biased?)
made from:
audience generated pictures and headlines
representing:
news coverage (a la CP24)
THE TOOLS
THE PEOPLE
ways:
Have largest number of group members
Use communication networks
Are diverse multi-taskers
examples:
They might leave messages for each other
OR
They may plan for some to chain themselves to something as a distraction while others scale the walls
means:
Communication tools (art, megaphones, cell phones)
Can climb and carve with beaks
THE POLICE
ways:
Biggest in size
and always follow orders
examples:
They can corral protesters with their size
OR
Protect others with their plumage or create a blockade
means:
They carry weapons and restraints
Have large plumage
Are wired for surveillance
THE JUDGE
ways:
Can change the rules of the game
examples:
Decree that no more than 3 woodpecker/people can be alone together at any time
OR
That the police/peacocks must stay 3 feet away from woodpeckers at all times
OR
That the media may not use the word “uprising” in their reports
means:
By legal decree and policy-making
(tiny gavels, signed documents and wigs available for good photo-ops)
THE MEDIA
ways:
Slideshow of audience coverage plays on continuous loop throughout the night, shaping perceptions of events
examples:
Can choose to give voice to one story over another
OR
Can act as mediator or antagonizer
means:
Can use camera framing to include or exclude any story angle
Can use words to name what they see
and create hype
The Police are in formation
The court ready to provide judgement
The people are mingling
Protesters attack police officer
Police officers hug protesters
Police comissorate with protesters and consider their perspective
Judges pass first bill, stating that police are agents of the state and as such are not allowed to interact with dissenters
Police asked to step down so that “Real Talks” (the headline read) can begin between protesters and the state. One is broadcasting via phone
Protesters reach the level of judges/politicians
Protesters return to the ground, but a few are co-opted /converted by the state and remain at the side of goverment
Police begin being violent with protesters. headline reads: “What is all this police brutality about?”
Protesters huddle together in the face of riot police line
Media distracts with coverage of hollywood happenings. headline reads “Katy Peary Tries to Hide her Baby-bump”
Love bird climbs podium/monument and faces armed police officer head-on, while all other birds look-on in consideration of this
Protesters line-up for lunch
A Molotov cocktail is thrown at police
Meanwhile other protesters continue to scale the walls
Police listen in on conversations being had at protest and call in for back-up
A queendom or matriarchy is formed, with the queen bird on top of feather monument while police are layed-down under the people
A queendom or matriarchy is formed, with the queen bird on top of feather monument while police are layed-down under the people
Police officers surround black-coloured birds in act of police profiling. Headline reads: “Police Round-up Protesters with Dark Intentions”
We are taken back in time to the moment before Queendom when people are running scared from police and politicians
We are taken back in time to the moment before Queendom when people are running scared from police and politicians
One Quebec student protester is brutalized by a police officer
Back to the present, the roles are reversed and police run scared from the people who chase them away
Back to the present, the roles are reversed and police run scared from the people who chase them away
All birds get wise to who is the real oppressor; the game creator, and attack the artist/me
All birds get wise to who is the real oppressor; the game creator, and attack the artist/me