Erosion - Chelsea Theatre, London 10 May 2008 "Interesting & Spectacular - I left in a state of confusion and continuing thought of how our human rights have slowly eroded"
"I was really interested in that way the body responds to the sound and proximity of another being. Humans are built from soil and are going back to soil." - Reia
"It is impressive how the body manages to stay still and take all the heat to an uncomfortable level." - Antonella Axisa
"This is really effective, it makes you feel both comfortable and very disturbed - something between annihilation & freedom almost... I don't know why though both feelings... But finally one is left with a sense of slow torture."
"Found it disturbing in the beginning and overwhelming and almost tender after. I felt that because of the heat it reminded me of what it could be like in a womb."
"The experience was organic and instinctive. I would loved to spend an unlimited time in there..."
"I enjoyed the experience but I didn't realise that there was a real person inside the clay... a very good idea..."
"Disturbing, felt slightly self conscious about looking, touching another person in the privacy of a small room. Skin make up was excellent, tempting to feel the texture of."
"...Karen Finley would be proud..."
"...tangible brilliance..."
"...The discomfort of the space was wonderful..." - Tim Jeeves
"Sad & wanting. Broken, yet unable to fix or find a solution to a plightless cause. Yet the desire to help & release the man of his clay skin, to allow a sense of freedom from the constraints that bind him [drives us]. It is hopeless..."
"It is an uncomfortable yet fascinating experience - the body is both beautiful and worrying. The texture of the clay is glorious - like peeling skin."
"Very moving - was really in tears - felt both vulnerable with the body and also paternal as if it was a new born."
"The body danced as it responded to a lullaby - beautiful..."
"At first I wanted to scrape the clay away and then felt the need to put it back on."
"Intimate & unnerving - an old school Gollom..."
"Intense, hot and disturbing. Reflects upon the inhumanity in Burma."
"With its constrained setting and simple means and materials, this seems to me to be the most satisfying and achieved piece in the entire show!!"
"I think the word of isolation springs to mind..."
"I wanted to help him!"
"I felt protective, I tried to get little pieces of clay off him. I realised it was his choice, but I still wanted to take him out of there.... so sweet..."
"Thank you. I felt slightly uncomfortable but it was a moving experience - he seemed so fragile."
"Weird but really good. I wanted to take him out."
"Waiting outside I found it difficult to cope with the idea of knowing that I would soon go into a room where anything could happen. Upon going inside, I found myself confronted with a creature I felt compelled to help but at the sametime not knowing how to. It was quite a moving experience and difficult to deal with." - Kiran from Camberwell
"Claustrophobic. Unnerving. Sense of reality... about people out there living with no hope of being free. They are trapped. I felt trapped inside. There wasn't any air. It was like being solitary confinement. The clay made me think of raw sewage: lost in one's own indecencies. No room to even stand."
"I felt trapped and could not find a way out - you seemed to... It'll be on my mind for a long time."
"Moved. I wanted to hold him in my arms and tell him it would be ok. Is that patronising? Should I have felt pity - was it even pity? I couldn't just watch, so I kissed my fingers and placed it on his lips. Still Thinking - Thank you." - Daisy Orton - Accidental Collective.
"Feelings of compassion. Did I create this?"
"Broken, shapeless body - all clefts and fissures. Abandoned yet intimate, a yearning... that fills you with love."
"Very sad and hot."
"I felt stuck in an artificial sense of nostalgia created in his head."
"Hot, unique and the feeling of desperation - Very good work!" - Jamil
"It's hot, the sound of dried, cracking mud fills the air. How long has he been in here? Butoh in an enclosed space. Claustrophobic but intriguing."
"It was the limit of something. The little movement was beautiful and powerful. It was between life and somewhere we're facing to our death."
"Heat, warmth, breath, heart beats, heat, hot, dry, precious moments, cracking, peeling, changing, pulsing, touching, sensing, loving."
"Because the audience has to be alone with the performer I experienced not only the performance but also an 'uncanny' real relationship which never exists in the big theatre. This was very interesting for me - thank you."
"It brought out a desire to comfort rather than assist the erosion."
