Response 6: Island Song and Walking in an Exaggerated Manner around the Perimeter of a Square

Charlemagne Palestine’s Island Song struck me as an odd sort of documentary of his attempt to leave an island. He rides on a motorcycle around the island, saying, “Gotta get outta here...gotta get outta here…,” but he clearly cannot leave the island while riding a motorcycle. But aside from the idea behind Island Song, there are several technical aspects of the video that struck me as interesting. Since the camera is strapped to Palestine as he rides around the island, the viewer sees everything as if he is the one riding around the island. Like Palestine, the viewer rides a motorcycle, experiencing the jarring of the dirt roads and seeing the island life. And the throaty, croaky voice of Palestine also seems to emanate from the viewer.
This leads to the audio aspect of the video. The video’s effectiveness is enhanced by the sound in Island Song. The viewer can hear the roar of the motor as Palestine traverses the island. One can listen to the crunch of dirt and gravel underneath the motorcycle’s wheels. And one can hear Palestine’s throaty chant during the motorcycle ride. Because one does not see Palestine in the video, one has to assume that Palestine is the one chanting during his journey. When Palestine first begins to chant, it reminded me of a little kid listening to the way his voice oscillates when riding his bike over a bumpy road. Palestine begins with this type of chant, but it quickly develops to have a more musical quality. Although the sound of his voice may not be considered particularly beautiful, it does provide a unique soundtrack that matches with the jarring of the motorcycle ride. In a way, it reminds me of a Native American or Taiwanese aboriginal ritual chant.
Bruce Nauman’s Walking in an Exaggerated Manner around the Perimeter of a Square was not quite as dynamic as Palestine’s island journey, but Nauman’s slow, deliberate steps reminded me of a gymnast walking on a balance beam. And the manner in which Nauman shifts his weight gives me the impression of a ballroom dancer practicing his steps. So in a way, Nauman’s trek around the square could definitely be considered a form of performance art.