Bryant Park Shoeshine, 2016
42nd Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City
For this participatory public performance, I bought a pair of all-white Air Force 1's and received a shoeshine at the stand on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan. The work embeds itself in the practice of shoe-shining to explore it's material and metaphorical qualities, and it's relationship to aspects of identity, power, and labor.
The works below are ideas, and can be carried out but they don't have to be. If you'd like to realize one of the ideas below, follow the instructions and send documentation to nolaelhanson@gmail.com.
In the body of the e-mail, please include how you'd like to be credited (your name, a pseudonym, anonymous, etc.) and specify if you'd like any of your contact information (website, Instagram handle, e-mail address, etc.) included in your submission. I will post submissions on my website.
RAP LESSONS
(2014)
Teach someone how to rap.
ARIZONA VOTIVE
(2014)
Make a mold of an 24oz Arizona can. Cast it in wax (any solid color is fine) and make a candle. Light the candle, and take a photograph.
COMMUNION PIECE
(2014)
Create an altar of some kind, and offer Arizona Watermelon Juice and Skittles. Instruct people to kneel in front of the altar eat the Skittles, and drink the juice from plastic medicine cups.
BRYANT PARK SHOESHINE
(2016)
For this piece, you must receive a shoeshine while wearing all white Air Force Ones. Ask the shoeshiner to use black polish. Pay the shoeshiner $50.
FOOTLOCKER WALKING MEDITATION
(2016)
Try on a pair of shoes at Footlocker. Do a 30 minute silent walking meditation. After the meditation, take the shoes off and put them back in the box. Leave the store.
LOGO PIECE
(2017)
Find a Ralph Lauren brand polo shirt. Cut out the logo. Take a photograph.
TRANS BOXING
(2017)
Hold a boxing class exclusively for trans people.
YOUR FACE ON A SHIRT
(2018)
At a commercial gallery, visitors will assist in the process of making an airbrushed memorial t-shirt for themselves with their own portrait printed on it. The airbrush artist will be compensated and credited for their role in the work.
HOUSEKEEPING PERFORMANCE
(2019)
At a hotel, housekeepers perform their regular job duties. The work is formalized as a site-specific performance. Performers will be compensated and will have the agency to determine how they would like to be credited/acknowledged.
WHAT A WEEK SOUNDS LIKE
(2019)
Make an audio of the noises in your bedroom from 3-5am every day for one week. Create a sound installation from layering each audio file (day) on top of the last.
SHOESHINE PAINTINGS
(2019)
Ask a shoeshiner to using the same techniques and materials they use to shine shoes on a blank canvas. Display the painting in a traditional setting. The shoeshiner will be paid $100 and credited for their role. If the painting sells, the shoeshiner will receive all of the profits.
INSIDE BOXING
(2019)
Teach a boxing class for incarcerated people in a prison or jail. Make ambient soundscapes from recordings of the sessions, and use the audio to facilitate mindfulness meditation sessions for CO's.