Module C
Freedom of movement
For the first week, we had this performance based on the commands we heard in headphones. The overall experience made me feel very aware of my movement through space. The simple act of sitting down or standing up are things I jsut do automatically, but doing this many times made me conscious of these movements.
For week 2, we had to look into a gesture or body position that could be found in a transportation network. From there, research it and present it in different ways. We chose the eye roll based on the experience of a group mate. We talked about our own experience with it, and researched about the origin of the eye roll.
Eye roll video
Eye roll presentation
For the third week, we had to choose an object or a system you find in public transport networks (or public space), that restricts or favours Freedom of Movement. We chose the arrows that indicate the directions on the school floors. These were placed during Covid in order to create distance (for safety/health reasons). With the measures becoming more flexible, these are less used now. And truthfully, they weren't always placed in a way that made movement easier.
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For the fourth and final week, our project was a combination of the first gesture researched (eye roll) and the system in public space (direction arrows). Based on the female experience of the eye roll, which is usually a passive aggressive reaction in face of an uncomfortable situation, we decided to expand this gesture as a language.
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The arrows were included on the folder to indicate the direction of the body itself. Differently from the arrows on the floor, which show the body where to go in the space. Here, the body itself is the space and tool in order to communicate.
Theory
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1. Let’s move!
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It’s finally Friday evening! My friends and I are going to this new club we heard about. We dressed up super cute, and are very excited to go. We meet up at the metro station. It’s dark, but we don’t mind, we are together. Three girls having fun. The metro arrives and we go in. We are giggly and happy. Only 4 stops and we are there. In the metro, there are five guys sitting already, who stare at us. Our mood changes and we stop giggling. They keep looking at us, from head to toe. We don’t want to be there anymore. They start blowing kisses. It’s time to leave.
I make eye contact with my friends, and move my eyes to the right. We stand up and go sit somewhere else, away from them.
2. Aggression
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It’s exam week. I’m so exhausted. It’s difficult to work until late and have classes in the morning. This term was extra hard, but I’m almost there. I go back to my parent’s house on the weekend to study there. My roommates are so noisy, I can’t focus at my place. All I need is silence. I pack all my books and go to the train station. It’s more than an hour on the train. Perfect. I can read that article I’ve been wanting. I go in the silent wagon, get my earphones and my notebook. Time to study. A man walks in, speaking loudly on the phone. He is holding a beer. How inconvenient. This is not right, there are so many other seats at the other wagons. Why here? He continues to talk loudly, and spills beer on the floor near me.
I make eye contact with him. I open my eyes wide and raise my eyebrows. He leaves, and it’s time to study again.
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3. Help me
I’m going to visit my friend at her place. I take the metro, it’s quite some stops until her place. She’s been having a hard time after the breakup with her boyfriend. I’m bringing chocolate, that will cheer her up a little. We can watch some baking shows on Netflix, she loves those. What was the one called again, with the French chef… Wait, they all are. I laugh. Oh, a man sits next to me. Strange, there are so many seats available. But okay. So, what was that show called? Oh, we could also go to that little restaurant for dinner. Or wait, I would love some Italian. Hummm. Wait. The man moves closer to me. I feel uncomfortable. Is he another creepy guy? Or am I exaggerating? Maybe he was just sitting better… Anyway, we could also cook together.
Wait.
He’s moving his hand towards my thigh. I want to leave, but I’m paralyzed. I need help. There’s a woman standing in front of me. I make eye contact with her. Then I move my eyes up and down. She understands and comes talk to me. “Hey, Ana!”, she says. “I almost didn’t see you there. How’s everything going? I started a new project, come here so I can show you!”.
I stand up relieved and go towards her. I can breathe again. I thank her and we leave together at the next station.
4. Unite
I step on the train. It’s the last train to go this evening and I can’t wait to get home so I can finally reunite with my bed. The train is mainly empty, except for a few passengers, so it’s not hard to find a seat. Whilst sitting down there’s a waft of stale smelling beer coming my way. I look around and I spot a very drunk looking man, surrounded by a few beer cans. Alright. None of my business. After a few minutes I start drifting away but my sleep gets interrupted by a loud voice. I look up and see the same drunk man speaking to a woman. The woman responds politely, but the man doesn’t seem to like her answer. His words get louder, but he’s too drunk to make a lot of sense. The woman starts looking a little panicked. When the man gets more agitated and starts throwing slurs I decide it is enough.
I look at a man a few seats away and we make eye contact. I move my eyes to all four corners of the train. He gets the message. He makes eye contact with the person nearest to him and does the same. This happens again and now we have four people to get this man to leave this woman alone.
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5. Flirt
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I step on the tram to work. It’s way too early and I haven’t had my morning coffee yet so I let out a big yawn while I walk to an empty seat. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a pair of amused eyes watching me. I turn my head. Damn. The person looking at me is the most beautiful person I have ever seen. I blink stupidly at her, my brain is not awake enough to process this. Clumsily I sit down and start nervously staring at my phone. I feel her eyes on me multiple times but I’m too afraid to look up. Flirting was never my strongest suit, I’m way too awkward for that. The I remember this thing I learned.
I try to muster all my courage and look up at her. I’m lucky, because she is already looking at me. I make eye contact and blink my eyes so hard I half expect to fly away. She starts laughing. I think she got the message. I also don’t think I need that coffee anymore. My heart is beating so hard I can feel the tram seat beating with it! Right before leaving the tram she slips a paper in my hand. It has her number on it. It worked!