Club Class was a performance experience that invited participants to explore the unwritten rules that govern conduct in social life.
Participants attended one of four ‘micro-classes’ led by genuine experts in bad behaviour, clothing, surveillance and body language. There they devised very personal performances changing the way they looked, felt or behaved, which were then played out in the specific social context.
Bad Behaviour micro-class
Clothing micro-class
Surveillance micro-class
Body Language micro-class
Each version of the work reflected its site, with the content of the micro-classes dependent on the type of social occasion and nature of the social arena. The work was presented within gallery contexts at Tate Modern and Tate Liverpool, during an ICA nightclub, and on the streets of Brighton.
Each micro-class was created collaboratively by French & Mottershead and each expert – combining their knowledge with our intentions for the work.
A subversive take on the cultural obsession with personal development and the connections between art, performance and everyday life, Club Class ultimately involved each participant in the creation of the art experience.
The Experts were:
– Tom Bruno-Magdich, a communications consultant and creativity coach with a background in performing art.
– Jason Hunter (not his real name), with over 20 years experience in surveillance and alongside continuing operational work, teaches Special Forces units worldwide.
– Marsha Roddy, a costume and production designer responsible for envisioning and realising dramatic works during a 20-year career that has taken her world-wide.
– Athina Vahla, an award-winning choreographer who has produced critically acclaimed work across London and Europe.
Surveillance
Clothing / Surveillance
Body Language
Clothing
Clothing
Clothing
Clothing
Clothing
Clothing
Bad Behaviour
Clothing
Photographic documentation: French & Mottershead and Anne-Marie Briscombe (Tate Modern and the ICA), Julia Waugh (Brighton)