I will run up a skyscraper as fast as I can.  When I get to the top, I will be in some pain and out of breath.  

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According to those who do this kind of thing on a regular basis, my lungs will hurt as much as my legs, as my body goes through a 12-15 minute condensed version of a triathlon. 

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At the top, I will present a performance lecture, Running Up A Skyscraper.  

 

The audience will take the lift. 

 

This site-specific solo work involved both spectacle and intimacy, both the ‘real’ and the performed with an endurance performance followed by absurd stream of consciousness Powerpoint riff.

 

The show began with the audience meeting me at ground level and being ushered via the elevators to the top floor of the building where a presentation space with lectern, projector, PA, seating and, most importantly, catering awaits. I then proceeded to run to the top of a the Eureka Tower, Melbourne (then the highest tower at 89 floors) as fast as I could.

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While awaiting my arrival at the top, the audience witnessed the ascent  via a live video and audio feed.  At the same time, being made comfortable with canapés and drinks and the spectacular view.

 

When I finally reached the top, the audience took their seats and I launched straight into a rambling 30 minute presentation on skyscrapers, the sport of ‘tower running’, sacrifice, competition, individualism, capitalism, and online health gurus, in an attempt to give an engaging and informative talk, while in an induced state of elation and exhaustion.

 

Event Duration: 60 min

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First performed on the 89th floor of Eureka Tower, Melbourne as part of Field Theory’s performance series, Site is Set, September 2015.