Image/Performance

La Petite Mort (2009)

• Battersea Arts Centre, London, 11th September 2009
• The Secret Warehouse, Bristol, 18th September 2009
• EYHO, Boneyard Bar Bristol, 12th November 2009

Set to Wagner’s ‘Liebestod’ (Love Death) from Tristan Und Isolde, the artist enacts a series of small deaths. Beginning naked, facing the far wall of the space and wearing a number of pearl necklaces, the performer carefully pours a can of treacle over his shoulders. The treacle slowly runs over his body to the floor; a slick, shining black curtain creeping over his skin.

Walking slowly backwards into the space as the Liebestod comes to its climax, the artist purposefully breaks each necklace by extending his arm against the pearls until the strings reach breaking point, scattering the pearls across the floor of the space. As each string is pushed to its limit, the artists’ breathing is restricted as the pearls tighten around his neck.

The performance is measured and demure in tone, a powerfully calm enactment of the female orgasm in contrast to the high drama of the opera score.

(Inter)Action for 21 Carnations (2009)

• Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol, 7th February 2009

(Inter)Action for 21 Carnations, Arnolfini Gallery (Bristol) 7th February 2009

A steward holds a small card with the words ‘Follow Me’ which she uses to solicit the attention of strangers who have strayed from the bar. Those who choose to follow are lead to a private, darkened space. In the space there is a suitcase, containing 20 pink carnations. Silently, the steward pins the carnation to the clothing of the audience member. The encounter ends with the presentation of another card – “Please don’t tell anybody what happened here” and a smile. The audience member is returned to the gathering. As the event progresses a secret society of Carnation wearers is created.

Encounter for Budapest (2008)

• MAMU Gallery, Budapest, 14th November 2008

Encounter for Budapest, MAMU Gallery, 14th November 2008

A love letter addressed ‘Dear Stranger’ invited readers to imagine themselves in the role of long lost lover, meeting Jones for one last time ‘at the place where they first met’;  a bridge in Budapest. The letter and directions were left as part of an  installation at the MAMU gallery (Budapest).

On the evening of the private view, Jones waited on the bridge at Vadjahunyad Castle for potential ‘future past lovers’. The audience was composed predominantly of passers by, unaware of the status of the scene as well as those who discovered the letter left in the gallery space.

The Moment Before We Kiss ( 2008 )
Two strangers meet.
They move their lips together to kiss.
Their lips never touch.

• Cube Cinema, You and Your Work 4, Bristol 24th January 2008
• Elevator Gallery, Zero Du Conduite, London 14th March 2008
• FIERCE Festival, Birmingham, 23rd – 26th May 2008

A one to one in which participants visited Jones at a private rented flat to experience to moment just before the kiss. Jones welcomed each participant with wine and conversation about first and worst kisses before inviting them to his bedroom to experience the moment before the kiss.

Define Me ( 2008 )

• 17/11/07 ‘In the Flesh’ Festival, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
• 12/01/08 ‘Good Shit From Bristol’ Weekender, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol

A subtle body work provoking questions of identity, visual judgment and definition. Participants are asked to transpose their visual judgments directly onto the artists flesh. This is followed by a 30 minute open viewing of the body.

Define Me [STRIP] (2009)

• 06/11/09 ‘Act Art 7′, Hidden, London

A development of Define Me (2008)

In Silence

1. The artist and participant will meet in a private space.
2. The artist and participant will undress, together.
3. The artist will write upon the body of the participant.
4. The participant will write upon the body of the artist.
5. The artist and participant will dress, together.
6. The participant will leave.