Peace Salon
A durational performance by artist Genevieve Erin O'Brien
Interdisciplinary Artist Genevieve Erin O'Brien will be doing a durational performance downtown Santa Barbara in honor of Veteran's Day. In her one-woman show The Monk Who Licked me, which will be presented Nov. 8th at the UCSB Multicultural Center, Erin shaves her head as a response to the war in Iraq and other forms of oppression.
In an effort to extend this gesture to the public, on Friday November 9th from 10 am - 3pm, Erin invites peace activists to have their hair shaved off by the artist as sign of their commitment to the anti-war movement. The performance will take place on Free Speech corner on the steps of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
This bold statement is a reminder that everyday when we look in the mirror that we cannot afford to be complacent, that we are part of a larger system. This personal transformation that participants will experience is a testament to our pledge for peace that we embrace in all aspects of our life, to release ourselves from attachment. It is this very attachment that drives this war, attachment to convenience, to our oil-dependent cars, to our lattes, and to our daily life.
This visual signifier is also meant to be a reminder to the American public that we are a country engaged in war, as well as a physical marker to extend our solidarity with the soldiers serving in Iraq and our determination to bring them home.
There's no reason for me not to try a buzz cut now, other than the potentially hideous results. On the plus side:
Simplicity: Lately, simplicity is my buzzword (so to speak). Less stuff, fewer activities, a willingness to let stuff go. Can't get much simpler than a buzz cut. Am I right, guys?
Spirituality: The buzz cut appeals to my inner Buddhist. When I was in Escondido this weekend, I saw some monks from Deer Park, and felt encouraged. The times I've been on retreat at Deer Park were times I felt centered and focused. Maybe if I look more like a Buddhist nun, I'll feel more like a Buddhist nun.
Solidarity: Erin's reasons for the Peace Salon resonate with me.
Novelty: Seems like it might be fun to try a buzz cut once in my life. I might even like it.
Knitting: Less hair = more hats!
And besides, it always grows back, right? Should I do it?
13 comments:
no. Particularly not on a street corner in public. Maybe you should consider taking Aikido... you don't need to shave your hair off to feel centered.
funny, I thought of you yesterday when I read about this "performance" and I said to myself, "I hope queen whackamole doesn't see this!"
Well, it IS a lot easier to take care of.
Amy shaved her head awhile back. It took me about a day to get used to it, but she was lovely. Now her hair's about an inch long. It takes her no time to get ready in the morning, so she gets more sleep. I've thought about it for myself. And this is for a good cause. And you're gonna be wearin' hats from now on anyway, and . . . .
how much time did it take Amy before, Marty? Seems like someone willing to shave their head wouldn't be the same person that invested a lot of time on their hair in the first place. Just saying.
Good points, all... only one "no" vote, but it's a very strong NO!
What to do, what to do...
ok, the other thing that bugs me about it is that it is the artist's statement, not yours. If you went through it to make her statement, you couldn't wear hats because her purpose is to be out in public with a shaved head to remind you and others of your sacrifice so that it spurs everyone into action. So, if you want to wear the great hats we are going to knit, you have to keep your hair!
I say, rather than shaving our hair off, we should all grab pitchforks and torches and storm the white house. That would get their attention. I really don't see them caring one way or another if we have hair unless someone in their family was selling shampoo or hair fasteners.
Amy, she had pretty, long hair. She just cut it all off. She has been studying Tibetan Buddhism seriously, so that was a factor. I think she wanted to defeat her ego, if only for a moment.
I agree with Amy that going to the Peace Salon is pointless.
On the other hand, four of your five plus-side reasons for creating a buzz have more to do with personal rather than world peace...
Pointless perhaps, but also DONE.
I look like a cross between my two-year-old self and my brother, but I like it!
does that mean you finished your first hat?
I'm about half done. Knitting, knitting...
I was trying to think of who else has a haircut like this... and realized it's George.
Hey all.. just found this place and decided I would comment since I was already here in third person.
losing my ego for a moment is right... there's that brief moment when I was about to shave my head again (this must've been the 2nd or 3rd time) when I wanted to yell to myself: "No! Don't do it! You'll look stupid!" Anyways, it was hard to get rid of my hair (not technically of course) and when it was its shortest is when I felt the most self-conscious. But I've kinda realized that people hopefully love me for me, which is why Chris's decision is ranked highly on my R-E-S-P-E-C-T list.
I think one of the greatest parts, and Chris you may or may not agree, is that people really do not know whether I am a boy or girl - and so it's back to those kindergarten issues. It also cuts out all the hassle of people assuming I'm my gender. Which is nice. It breaks open all new communication levels. With much love, :):):):):)
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