The Performed Class Event-The Paul Ramirez Jonas Class
(In response to the second assignment)
Andrew Bucksbarg- March 26, 1999

This piece is a directed observation of the performed social space of the class-event. The objective is to be aware of the present occurring social act, how it is constructed, and negotiated by yourself and others. This text offers two means for this, to point to experience and to problematize the content. Because momentary, lived experience is the vital space where the past convolves with the future, I believe it is the space of being most important to observe, as well the "space of influence" where actions occur. I recognize the loss that occurs between the lived act and the "same" acts representation. I would caution that we be aware of this during any discussion of the performed act. If we could further what M.M. Baktin has written, "Every thought of mine, along with its’ content, is an act or deed which make up my whole once-occurrent life as an uninterrupted performing of acts," to certain social contexts where we collectively constitute a social act, as a way of thinking and acting as a social beings.

(This piece began as you entered the classroom.)

Please consider the following during class and make objective notes-

How is this occurrence scripted? Watch how you and others negotiate this classroom experience. How do you or others submit or resist this social space? How does your or others participation strengthen or weaken these means? How does your or others actions transgress this social construction? Is there resistance? Is there support in terms of the institution or meta-social structures?

Be aware of social relations, interactions or interpersonal group dynamics.
How is this social event governed? Who has power? How is it constituted between individuals and groups of individuals? Trace authority and approval/disapproval and how they are rewarded, discouraged, given, withheld. Trace social attentiveness as it passes through the group, are some affirmed more than others? Why and how do you think this is? How are the social-power hierarchies structured? Do some individuals have more claims to this social event? Think of gender, race, class, sexuality etc. Think about the "roles" within this context. What are they? (Teacher? student? class-clown? intellectual?) How are they negotiated? How do they function? What do they perform? Watch the economy of the social interaction. Do some monopolize the space? Are others their agents? How are those who seem uninvolved (in dialog etc.) actually
involved? What is the general "feel" of the social etiquette? How is the social exchange stylized?

Think of how to categorize this "classroom" occurrence in the terms of the class- "object, relic, documentation, performance, process" etc. How does this fail or succeed as a means of constructing discourse?

THIS IS BY NO MEANS MEANT TO BE NEGATIVE CRITIQUE OR COMMENTARY ON THE CLASS OR OTHERS INVOLVED, BUT A PERFORMED PIECE. PLEASE BE SENSITIVE TO THIS.