Tuesday, February 8, 2011

You can't ignore it when its all upons!

One thing about spectacle that intrigues me is how it is carefully constructed to draw as much attention to itself as possible. Without viewers, there cannot be spectacle. They have been previously been mentioned, but Improv Everywhere is certainly my favorite group of spectacle-makers. There is something to be said for confusion as a method for developing thought, and Improv Everywhere utilizes confusion in a light-hearted manner which (usually) leaves viewers feeling better about the world in which they live. And while not every spectacle is, or should be, a cheerful oddity, no one who witnesses an event will be left without questions.

Here are some of my favorites:

Of the three spontaneous musical numbers Improv Everywhere has done, this one seems to have the best reactions.


Frozen people in Grand Central Station? Check! This event is more confusing than a spontaneous musical number. Watch as passersby inspect the frozen people! Some even break the commuter's code of ignoring each other and instead converse with strangers. Mass confusion!



The video doesn't do this one justice, so if you have time, I recommend reading the post HERE. This was one of the most controversial events, in which 80 participants dressed up like Best Buy employees, much to the chagrin of the management.

My ideal kind of spectacle would be a combination of confusion and whimsy, so I am looking forward to the possibilities!

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