project image
Tyler James Lumm
ONE-YEAR PERFORMANCE 2012-2013 (MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL)

first performed on November 26, 2012
Columbus 012 Performance Space at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
performed once in 2012

ARJUNA CAPULONG

Chicago, IL
arjuna@oneyearperformance.com
oneyearperformance.com

ONE-YEAR PERFORMANCE 2012-2013 (MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL)
ARJUNA CAPULONG

A statement describing the purpose and tasks embodying “One-Year Performance 2012-2013 (Maximize Potential)” was released to the public on November 26, 2012. Also on this day, I prepared for the challenges raised in the statement by performing a preliminary ritual. This entailed me shaving all of my body hair, starting from my toes to my head, while in the presence of a public audience. At the end of the preliminary, I took the first full-body nude photo required by the statement. Audience members of the preliminary received a copy of the statement document to keep. The statement reads:

“I, Arjuna Capulong, plan to do a one-year performance piece, beginning November 26, 2012 and ending November 26, 2013.

I will focus on transformation toward maximizing potential during the performance.

I have chosen three primary goals to work toward.

  1. Maximize my medium.

  2. Maximize the usage of my time.

  3. Maximize my art productivity.

I have prepared the following steps to prepare for these goals.

  1. I will take a full-body nude photograph of myself every day. This will aid me to be accountable for my medium.

  2. I will record all of my actions throughout the day, every day. This will aid me to be accountable for my time.

  3. I will write a response to the performance every week. This will aid me to think about the performance.

  4. I will create an art piece responding to the performance every month. This will aid me to produce art.

  5. I will NOT cut any of my hair for the duration of the performance. This will aid in illustrating my transformation over time.”

“One-Year Performance 2012-2013 (Maximize Potential)” is designed to help me work toward maximizing my own potential, however, I also intend to wrestle with my own notions concerning vulnerability, vanity, and productivity, particularly in relation to physical body image and mental thought. A public audience is invited to follow the performance through a blog that I maintain. This creates a dialogue between myself and the audience, and results in the performance altering itself in response.