Mistakes Were Made

2017
Performance with Video Documentation
10 minutes

Mistakes Were Made is an assemblage of internet fragments, cultural commentary, and personal anecdotes. I begin alone, moving to a Michael Jackson song, before entering in disposable clothing and layering gestures, recitations, and costume in an improvised progression. The performance weaves online content, reflections on cognitive biases, texts from family, and personal stories, including my father’s relentless selfies texted to me and the observation that I resemble Michael Jackson more than my Iranian heritage. Through absurdity, humor, and bodily presence, the work examines how identity, empathy, and attention are produced, mediated, and performed in relation to audiences, technology, and digital culture.

Camera: Sebastián Lasaosa Rogers + audience members
Performances filmed at: Essex Flowers, curated by Tatiana Kronberg + Heaven Gallery, curated by Kimia Maleki
Michael Jackson’s Human Nature performed and arranged for electric piano by KG Price
Special Thanks: Kyli Kleven + Holly Murkerson