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Disturbing Public Spaces- Ahmad

The suite of social actions we learned about are tied together through a willingness to disrupt public spaces and create discomfort.  In this way, Guerilla protest seems reminiscent of Brecht's "epic theater. " Performance is alienating—it challenges the spectator to reflect, be disturbed, and hopefully take action. Occupying and agitating public space is a natural next step of epic theater— the fervor for change is taken directly to reality, rather than being relegated to theaters.





This scene in Eric Andre's TV show makes me think about Guerilla Performance. Is this bit, a commentary on the exploitation and dehumanization of workers? Probably not. Is this supposed to be profound, rather than an attempt to make comedy at other people's expense? Probably not. Nevertheless, this performance is disruptive. It creates a scene in a public space and demands people's attention. Train riders cannot just spectate as he comes forward with his milk—they must flee, respond, or accept harm.

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