One day I think I’ll lend a hand, but right now I need a Plasma TV, is a performance that brings together the local community and refugees-seeking-asylum unified by a communal spirit of making art.
A large group of everyday people all wearing red tops and black pants are positioned in a grid formation in an outdoor space. Together, they perform simple and repetitive synchronized exercises. The group performs as one, following the artist’s movement’s (also wearing red and black) in an exercise routine relayed to them via an old TV screen. The work focuses on the relationship between artist, performers and audience.
This project was created by Schwenk in response to an observation of our cultures’ desire to, but our reluctance to change. We all know that the world isn’t quite the way it should be and we would like to help. Yet for many of us the timing isn’t right. We’re perhaps too busy, or just need to finish up doing something or buying something and then … and then we can get involved.
The work also comments on our desire to perform as being normal, and fit in with society by following the trends, fashion and lifestyle that are projected to us on television.
One day I think I’ll lend a hand, but right now I need a Plasma TV, was adapted and re-performed at the Sydney Artfair in 2009.