Title: "Heel²" Live at the Rover
Category: Performance
Year: 2010

Synopsis: This improvisational performance with Julie Fotheringham is distantly related to our previous work "Heel". This newer work "Heel²" (Heel squared) suggests a multiplication of the primary symbol; the stiletto heel, with all of the intrinsic cultural meaning/baggage that comes with it. The image and sound of the heels are played out through the dual video display and manipulated sonic repetitions. The woman performer stands, elevated on the shoes and monitors, uncomfortably, having difficulty to maintain balance, suggesting a fear of heights. But, simultaneously the male performer kneels below her and she instills dominance from time to time as the male performer virtually licks her shoes via video camera and monitor. Although in close proximity, the performers remain physically disconnected; all contact is electronic rather than physical.

Production Notes: As in the previous performance piece "III", the primary underlying sonic element is a throat microphone. In this case, the mic is connected to a function generator; my pulse causes corresponding voltage changes in the mic. The mic, in turn, causes the pitch of the tone on the function generator to waver correspondingly as well. Thus, my pulse can be heard as a tone (high-pitched at the beginning and end, low-pitched during the middle). The other sonic element is the sound of the shoes moving on the board. A contact mic was used for this purpose and then manipulated in real time using a delay effect. As for the video, three live cameras are used, two for the shoes, and one for myself which is seen briefly on the left screen and later on the right.