Untitled (Portraits), 2011

Performance, photographic prints and risk assessment, Exeter Phoenix Gallery

 

Between 18:00 and 20:00 hrs at the opening of an exhibition, a live, 12 ft Burmese Python was present in a gallery space. Visitors were permitted to hold or interact with the animal and have their photograph taken (providing they supplied their own camera or phone).

 

The performance explored the potential neutralisation of danger, of a wild animal in an artificial or staged environment, and the human desire to document our encounters with these animals in our family albums.