Indefinition Transference No.2 – Performed by Peter Kennedy

Piece of ten minute duration … Video Indefinition Transference

A performer whose clothing is covered in white powder is positioned against a white ground (either standing against a white wall or lying on a white surface).
After thirty seconds of inactivity, the performer should continue to remove the powder by slapping at his clothing with both hands. The performer should continue to dust his clothing until such time as he considers his clothing is as clean as can possibly be achieved by using this method.
The time taken should be as close to ten minutes as possible.
So that the slapping sounds are unnaturally loud during the performance, the microphone should be as close to the performer as practicable.

Technical Directions: The camera should be close enough to the performer to record the area of activity surrounding the performer's hands while work is in progress. It is intended that the initial lack of definition of the subject (performer) owing to the powder, is transferred to the surrounding atmosphere and ultimately, the camera lens. Throughout the work, there is no obvious change in definition, simply transference of cause.

Peter Kennedy, 1971