February 19th 20:00 - 21:30 EDT (February 20th 9:00 - 10:30 HKT)

Register for the conference: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMscemqrDwvHtXWPPE_eVo0s0LsWTwB87XO

Program of the conference: https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/gmf21/program

     An empty plastic water bottle is a piece of plastic waste. To a percussionist, it could be a found object instrument, but otherwise its purpose is achieved and its lifecycle ends after a single use. Our treatment of different objects shifts according to their purpose and meaning to us. After a disposable object has been used, how does one treat the item? If a piece of waste is given a new purpose, would it change one’s perspective on throwaway culture?

     As of 2018, the recycling rate in Hong Kong remains at 30%, slightly higher than New York’s 21% and a far cry from San Francisco’s 80%. As Hong Kongers continue to purchase and discard single-use plastics at an alarming rate, overflowing landfill sites inevitably funnel the plastic debris into the ocean. The aimless motion of dumping recyclable items into tri-color bins became a regular routine, a minimal display of effort to “help the earth” without the obligation of any real responsibility.

  The Vigil of Debris is an event to “mourn” disposed and forgotten debris that will continue to exist as a reminder of us - a ritual to sensitize ourselves to the daily apathetic act of discarding waste, and a warning to be conscious of our unrealistic perception of recycling non-biodegradable waste. The performer is instructed to collect pieces of waste they produce and transform these items from personal possessions to totems. By re-evaluating these objects as instruments, the player is asked to interpret, explore, and even revere objects they would normally discard. The ritual, as a reflection, demonstrates the significance of the used item through the player’s interpretation of a series of proposed actions. Through realizing the performance on the collected debris and documenting the performer’s daily consumption of the plastic and disposable items, The Vigil of Debris urges performers and observers alike to rethink the necessity and use of these items, and how to be more thoughtful about not using them, reusing them, and looking for alternatives.

In this presentation, I will explore the composition of The Vigil of Debris, the execution and performance process, and my findings after completion of the project. Through examining the two different interpretations of The Vigil of Debris, I will demonstrate how perception and intentionality changes our behavior towards these items.