The World Famous Bushman!
Sorry for posting horrendously late, but no questions asked, right?
According to Wiki, Performance Art is defined as “any art in which the performer constitutes the work” and includes the use of the performer’s body. Jack Bowman gave a broader definition on http://www.bright.net/~dapoets/performa.htm. Apparently, Performance Art is more creative than other forms of art since he/she/they have more freedom to express their work. It is also limited by time, which contrasts with visual arts in the sense that performance arts can only be viewed at a given time and its beauty is transient whereas the beauty of other forms of arts is longer lasting and supercedes the restrictions of time.
But I digress. I chose to look up the World Famous Bushman. Something about that title drew me to it. The World Famous Bushman (David Johnson) first gained his fame in 1980, when he tried to follow the “human robot” routine but was disheartened when others had already done this feat. To me, it seems that he had a vision that was not to be diluted by a hackneyed performance. He gradually picked up the pieces. I admire his effort to regain his composure after such a blow. Anyways, Johnson decided to pick up a new routine that consists of him dressing up like a destitute hiding behind two bushes (hence his namesake). When unsuspecting citygoers pass by the Bushman, he jumps out and screams “ugah-bugah” or some other garbled phrase that startles these unsuspecting residents to the core of their soul. Okay, maybe I’m just exaggerating here but his victims are scared. There are a multitude of videos at Youtube posted that show the Bushman scaring these people. Even I must admit that I’m amused. He usually frequents Joe’s Crab shop, which is situated across San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Of course, the Bushman does this for thrills. He does not seek profit, but his victims usually tip him and he gains approximately $60,000 in a “good year”. The Bushman is a decent fellow too as he refrains from frightening the elderly. This has also resulted in subsequent lawsuits but they have all been dropped as they are significant to the city’s commerce.
I think that the Bushman’s performance fulfills the criteria of performance art for a variety of reasons. His individual performances are brief. I think he does these performances to provide some sort of reprieve from our everyday activities. The thrills these people get can attest to that. I believe that the Bushman receives profits from his victims because they are relieved that this ordinary man could fill their vapid lives with some amusement. The fact that he implements nature also supplements his departure from civilization. Of course, it could also be because he thinks it’s a unique camoflague. Speaking of which, I think that his disguise is lacking. It’s really only two bushes and he leaves much of himself exposed. From what I saw, his victims were too distracted to even notice. Furthermore, from what I heard from a podcast on podcastpickle.com, the Bushman also uses what appears to be ordinary trash in his disguise. It’s actually fascinating to see that he can transmute these mundane objects into something artistic-his disguise. To me, it’s the essence of creativity- to express his vision through unorthodox means. I’m sorry, I just can’t express my thoughts clearly. Overall, it’s an interesting piece of art to see that one man can deliver his vision by blatantly yelling out some mere gibberish. I regret that there isn’t more information, but any other site basically used Wikipedia’s entry. Even the scholar category yielded nothing.
I don’t know how to put an image on this blog, but here’s a link to one of the photographs:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/7_025_2.jpg
The role of an artist today has shifted somewhat. During the dawn of history, art has been used as a way of telling a story and leaving behind one’s presence. Later on, it was used as a means of enlightenment and spreading culture. Today, if I could take a guess, the role of an artist is to experiment with the world around him. The artist may also choose to present a relevant issue or message. Zhang Huan, for example, uses his body and nature to seek enlightenment. In my opinion, he probably seeks to control the world around him. He might also seek to master himself by pushing his limits. By raising the water level or alter the height of the mountain, he explores the world around him. Now, as for the Bushman, I can say that he fulfills this role of an artist by presenting the unpredictability of today’s society by doing something so unexpected such as startling these everyday people who weren’t expecting something like this to happen. Of course, this is all subject to interpretation, but this is simply my take on this whole issue.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:51 am
At the beginning of your paper, I was glad that you disagreed with the definition that the impact of performance art isn’t as long lasting as other arts. I’m on the fence about the Bushman. I can understand your ideas expressed in your paper and your opinion, but I just can’t decide rather I see it as art. I suppose when you think about it any conscious act can be viewed as art, if your view of “art” is vast enough. So I guess I’d have to agree that the Bushman is art. I find it funny that his “victims” give him tips. If I got scared out of my skin by some random guy in garbage, I’d probably beat him up. Ha! Well, to each his/her own. Anyway, I really liked your take on the Bushman and art in general in your paper, and now I know there’s a real Bushman wandering the streets of San Francisco.