30 DAYS TO SPACE

In 2010 I decided to become an astronaut. I wanted to get to space and space (as defined by NASA) is 50 miles up from the Earth’s surface. That sounded do-able. By climbing a 6ft ladder 1467 times each day for 30 continuous days I eventually reached a height of 50 miles; space. Each climb of the 6ft ladder was marked by drawing a chalk star drawn onto the wall. When I was done with the final climb I had made a panorama of stars that surrounded the audience observing below. In the process of reaching ‘space’ I was also creating it.

This piece began as an exploration of performance qualities already inherent in the work of Bootworks Co; task-based performance, repetition, systematic physical scores and a simplistic but affecting visual vocabulary.

I was interested in the potential of individual endeavour; pushing the body, mind and spirit to ‘achieve’, even if only conceptually.

 The piece was performed for a duration of 30 days at the Forest Fringe Cafe in August 2010.

• Devised by James Peachey-Baker, Robert Daniels, and Andy Roberts

• Produced by Emily Coleman 

Forest Fringe and The University of Chichester.