H U G

Filed under Ongoing Event, Performance, projects

Artist: Julie Troost
Website: http://www.myspace.com/hugperformance

Groups embracing on busy sidewalks surprise New Yorkers rushing by. The negative memories of personal and community conflict are healed by a simple gesture of compassion.
Surprising New Yorkers in the midst of their busy day, H U G (Helping Us Grieve) is a city-sweeping performance installation that travels across Manhattan. Appearing and disappearing without warning, pairs embrace for a little too long at each site before dispersing. The performers have a predetermined path to travel on public transportation between locations as well as specific times to execute each installation. The pairs are arranged in site-specific formations predetermined by each location’s uniqueness. They create a seamlessly choreographed grand gesture - a jarring moment of vulnerability - easily discernible to the public who happen upon them. H U G blankets scarred urban spaces that contain the memory of a momentous event of conflict while reminding observers of the ability to heal. Sites will be designated ahead of time from suggestions made by the public of personal or community conflict. The migration begins from festival headquarters where witnesses are invited to travel the route with performers.