What draws people to the moving image? What gives moving images the hypnotic power that keeps you glued to the screen and how is that power utilized? Why do we watch? These are the questions at the center of Why are you Looking at me? A three act video performance guiding the viewer on a journey that explores these questions through narrative, non narrative, and abstract methods. The performance space is set up as much like a traditional movie theater as possible to mimic the experience of cinematic hypnosis. 
The first act of the show, inspired by psychoanalytical film theory, features a monologue that confronts the viewer with their role as a viewer. The actor on screen speaks directly to the viewer, at first asking them to be aware of their presence in the space, and then aggressively confronting them with their gaze. Throwing the viewer’s own image onto the screen emphasizes this confrontation.
The second act of the show is a non narrative expansion on the questions raised in the first act, inspired by the Jawa style of video editing. Simply put, the purpose of this editing style is to bombard the viewer visually and sonically in order to hinder intellectual thought, communicating ideas through rapid association and the subconscious. In this act, the viewer is incorporated into a stream of viewing. 
The third and final act of the show, inspired by absolute film theory, uses imagery from the second act, a live feed of the audience, and a newly introduced feed of the artist vjing. All of these elements are layered over each other, and tied together with different animated textures. It is my hope that viewers will walk away from this experience with a new awareness of their interactions with moving images and the sometimes subtle power they possess. Whether it’s on your phone, on billboards, or in the theater, take a moment to ask yourself; Why am I looking?

These images are from the April 18th performance. This link is to a video of the entire performance from May 2nd: