Performance is Revealing Series featuring Geraldo Mercado, Beatriz Albuquerque and Butch Merigoni

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WHAT ARE YOUR PRE-PERFORMANCE RITUALS?

​GERALDO MERCADO

Geraldo Mercado | photo by Polina Riabova

  I write all of my performances in a notebook, and I'm typically still editing and refining what I've written the day of. I replace the notebook once or twice a year even if its not full, and I've gone through at least a dozen notebooks at this point. I used to write super detailed descriptions of my pieces, but these days I can get away with just putting down some bullet points and a basic score. I also spend the first half of the day of buying last minute props, editing my soundtrack if I’m using one, and forgetting to eat. When I’m at the space I’ll usually begin to move around the area I’m planning to perform in before the show starts. I’ll take big steps and swing my arms and try to just pick up on what the general feeling and energy of the room is. I’m not sure when I picked up this habit, but it helps put me in the moment and keeps me grounded, otherwise my thoughts tend to race a mile a minute. If I’m one of the last people performing that night, I’ll sometimes take a few moments to move around the space and get reacquainted with the feeling of it in between performances. Sometimes people will notice me doing this and will get weirded out, but I don’t mind that because it's just a necessary part of the process at this point.

MORE ABOUT GERALDO

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BEATRIZ ALBUQUERQUE

Beatriz Albuquerque | photo courtesy of the artist

  I don't eat, don't drink and meditate.

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BUTCH MERIGONI

Butch Merigoni | photo courtesy of the artist

  For me, it’s not pre-show rituals that are important, but how I’m living my life on a daily basis. Am I honest and brave outside of art making? Am I doing things that connect me to something greater? If I am, my work will reflect that. If I’m not, my work will reflect that, too. So, my goal is to keep myself honest and brave outside of art making so that when I sit down to make work, the honest and brave thing will already be in motion.

MORE ABOUT BUTCH