We were invited to be the round girls at a boxing match with a difference, a bout between Dada and Fluxus in a regulation size boxing ring in a village hall in South Brent (UK).
10 dangerous things to say out loud:
i love you
don’t leave me
i’m sorry
i’m wrong
i don’t understand
i miss you
i’m lost
i’m lonely
i need you
i’m scared
10 good things to say in an argument:
but what about the kids
we can’t go on like this
don’t put words in my mouth
just forget it
it’s not worth it
whatever
just grow up
what the hell does that mean?
is that it then?
why do you always have to bring that up?
fighting talk:
who ate all the pies
who’s the wanker in the black
you’re not singing anymore
come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough
you’re going home in a fucking ambulance
you’re going down
you’re shit and you know you are
song titles:
i can’t take my eyes of you
i just don’t know what to do with myself
i never loved a man the way that i love you
D.I.V.O.R.C.E
love ain’t here anymore
quit playing games with my heart
i believe in a thing called love
why can’t i wake up with you
From our assembled lists we pull out a line to chalk up on our boards between rounds, not knowing which statement we would show to the audience next. When the bell rang at the end of each round, we clambered into the ring and held up our signs.
Before starting on our lap of the ring, standing at the front, we would peek around the side of our boards, to see for the first time what the other had written. The statements on our lists are intentionally provocative - borrowed from love songs, football chants, arguements and confessions.
They can be read as threats, as promises, as wishes, as demands, as appologies, as excuses, as regrets, as words that we are saying directly to each and every member of the assembled crowd.
We are vulnerable, with only our forced smiles and smudged lipstick between us and them.