The Square
Performance artist Lilly McElroy defends 'the Square.'
Often, I find performance art annoying. Well, who doesn't? However, there is one piece, thanks to the glories of "the Internets," that I wholeheartedly approve of, and had me laughing out loud.
Lilly McElroy is a Chicago-based artist whose work ranges from lying down in public places in a nightgown to literally throwing herself at men. My favorite, though, is a work called "The Square." In it, she marks off a square with chalk on a busy sidewalk, and then defends it from all comers, blocking people from walking across.
The navigation is a little annoying but click on the link, then there's a nav bar at the bottom, click on the fourth from the left "Performative Video," then click on "The Square." I'm not sure what it means, but it is funny.
(via Rocketboom)
The Square: Remembered
Our definitions of talent and originality vary. If someone can’t paint very well they may call their work abstract, or they may genuinely feel their work communicates something. Jack Kerouac was supposedly schizophrenic, and Truman Capote referred to his work as merely typing, not writing. His books are still printed and discussed today. I feel very confident that as bizarre as Lilly’s work may seem to some, it will always be remembered by others.
The Square: Lilly
I wanted to thank JJ Sutherland for looking at my work and writing about it. This made my day.
The Square: Teach
I love this and will use it in my upcoming art appreciation course I am teaching. Thanks!
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