(Performance intervention and photographs)

Touching 1000 People
Diane Borsato
Montreal, 2000/Vancouver, 2003

Description:
I read a study which suggested that when people are touched deliberately or even unconsciously tapped, it seems to subtly affect their behaviour and well being.  For a month I went out of my way to bump, rub past, tap, touch, strangers on the street, on the metro, and to touch cashiers in shops, etc. The excersise was like a minimalist performance. I wondered what would be the smallest possible gesture that could create an effect in public.

(See exhibition history below.)

Exhibition History:

The work was performed twice, in 2000 Montreal, and again for Artspeak, as part of the group show Expect Delays, curated by Kathleen Ritter, in 2003 in Vancouver.

A photo-text composite of the work was exhibited at:

Vu, How To Draw Winter, Solo Exhibition, with catalogue essay by Amish Morrell, Winter 2006, Quebec City.

Artcite, The Moon in my Mouth, Solo Exhibiton and Visiting Artist Talk at University of Windsor, Spring 2006, Windsor, Ontario.

TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary, Mountain Standard Time: Festival of Performative Art, Sleeping with Cake,  Fall 2005, Calgary.

MOIS DE LA PHOTO, How To Eat Light, Solo Exhibition curated by Martha Langfordat Occurrence, Fall 2005, Montreal.

CAFKA - Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener  (Solo Exhibition) as part of Peace of Mind: Kitchener, Ontario.

Gallery TPW  (Solo Exhibition) WARM THINGS TO CHEW FOR THE DEAD, during Contact 2004: Toronto.