Cavity Search
Will be creating this socially engaged work July 21st @ Kronika Center for Contemporary Art in Bytom, Poland
Cavity Search is a dinner made up of 10 dessert courses going from savory to sweet with paired beverages. The guests agree to follow some basic guidelines during the Dionysian style meal, but also act as free participants for the duration. Some of the expectations of the guests are the following: they wear the shirt-like garment provided; they eat and drink everything; they fill out the questionnaire prior; and they give consent for Gabe Flores to create personalized messages to them individually throughout the meal. Cavity Search explores themes of pleasure, free-will, and endurance.
In many ways Cavity Search is a tactic of stepping into Gabe Flores for a few hours. Making desserts has been a major part of Gabe’s narrative since he was 9 and is still one of his primary ways of practicing how to balance information. The personal messages placed under the desserts are a mild reenactment of the voices he alone could hear a little over 8 years ago. The individualized messages follow the narrative arc of what he calls his alternative perceptions to the statistical norm. Also, being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness Gabe often wonders about the power of the hive mind. Given the right setting, guidelines, and expectations people often possess the ability to excel farther than they might have been able to all on their own.
Warning: If you have dietary limitations or a medical condition (high-blood pressure, diabetes, etc) then this socially engaged work might not be the best for you to participate.
Gabe will be replicating a version of this social engagement February 2013 @ Deep Field in Portland, OR
Cavity Search Questionnaire:
(Responses to the following questions will remain confidential.)
Name:
Age:
Highest Level of Education:
Major or Primary Focus at School:
What do you do for work:
Do you feel fulfilled at your job (please explain):
What is your dream job:
Why don’t you have this job:
Parents’ names:
Please describe your relationship with each (give at least 1 positive and 1 negative):
Do you have any siblings:
Please give names of each sibling and describe your relationship (give at least 1 positive and 1 negative):
Where did you think you’d be 5 years ago:
What are you most proud of achieving:
What are your biggest regrets:
What are some words you know exist about the following (socially acceptable and derogatory):
Jewish people:
Do you know any Jewish people?
Black people:
Do you know any Black people?
Asians people:
Do you know any Asian people?
Disabled people:
Do you know any disabled people?
Homosexuals:
Do you know any homosexual people (closeted or out)?
Have you ever had a homosexual experience and please say what it was (crush, kissing, sex, etc)?
What are you most afraid of?
Tell me one secret you haven’t told anyone else.
Give an instance where you remained silent and did not act on what you felt was a moral obligation:
Give an instance where you stood up for what you felt was a moral obligation:
Where would you like to be in 10 years:
Cavity Search is a dinner made up of 10 dessert courses going from savory to sweet with paired beverages. The guests agree to follow some basic guidelines during the Dionysian style meal, but also act as free participants for the duration. Some of the expectations of the guests are the following: they wear the shirt-like garment provided; they eat and drink everything; they fill out the questionnaire prior; and they give consent for Gabe Flores to create personalized messages to them individually throughout the meal. Cavity Search explores themes of pleasure, free-will, and endurance.
In many ways Cavity Search is a tactic of stepping into Gabe Flores for a few hours. Making desserts has been a major part of Gabe’s narrative since he was 9 and is still one of his primary ways of practicing how to balance information. The personal messages placed under the desserts are a mild reenactment of the voices he alone could hear a little over 8 years ago. The individualized messages follow the narrative arc of what he calls his alternative perceptions to the statistical norm. Also, being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness Gabe often wonders about the power of the hive mind. Given the right setting, guidelines, and expectations people often possess the ability to excel farther than they might have been able to all on their own.
Warning: If you have dietary limitations or a medical condition (high-blood pressure, diabetes, etc) then this socially engaged work might not be the best for you to participate.
Gabe will be replicating a version of this social engagement February 2013 @ Deep Field in Portland, OR
Cavity Search Questionnaire:
(Responses to the following questions will remain confidential.)
Name:
Age:
Highest Level of Education:
Major or Primary Focus at School:
What do you do for work:
Do you feel fulfilled at your job (please explain):
What is your dream job:
Why don’t you have this job:
Parents’ names:
Please describe your relationship with each (give at least 1 positive and 1 negative):
Do you have any siblings:
Please give names of each sibling and describe your relationship (give at least 1 positive and 1 negative):
Where did you think you’d be 5 years ago:
What are you most proud of achieving:
What are your biggest regrets:
What are some words you know exist about the following (socially acceptable and derogatory):
Jewish people:
Do you know any Jewish people?
Black people:
Do you know any Black people?
Asians people:
Do you know any Asian people?
Disabled people:
Do you know any disabled people?
Homosexuals:
Do you know any homosexual people (closeted or out)?
Have you ever had a homosexual experience and please say what it was (crush, kissing, sex, etc)?
What are you most afraid of?
Tell me one secret you haven’t told anyone else.
Give an instance where you remained silent and did not act on what you felt was a moral obligation:
Give an instance where you stood up for what you felt was a moral obligation:
Where would you like to be in 10 years: