A Traumatic Performance

A mallet, a glass and a gun. Los Angeles artist Jordan Wayne Long will be using these three props in his new performance art piece, titled "Gun Piece #1," when he visits Bottle Rocket Gallery in Fayetteville on Sept. 5.

"You kind of have to be trusting in this sort of work," says Sarah Leflar, owner of the gallery. [When you invite an artist to the gallery] "you might not know exactly what they're going to do. There's an element of surprise to Jordan's work. But if they're doing really cool work, it'll usually be worth it."

Inspired by his own experience with PTSD and exploring subjects beyond his comfort zone, Long's performance art deals with trauma and its effects on the individual and those around him. The pieces involve Long putting himself into stressful and sometimes dangerous situations, and the final outcome of the performance will often be dependent on audience participation.

With the goal of forcing people to confront something uncomfortable to them, Long's work raises questions about different ways others deal with pain, viewing violence and, for "Gun Piece #1," how the media has affected the way people react to violent images.

"I try to remain really stoic during the performance because I don't want people to feel sympathy for me in these situations," Long says. "I want people to investigate how they feel about what they're dealing with [when watching] the piece. Some people will be really affected by the work and will be crying after, while some people see the humor in it and can laugh. How people deal with things is multidimensional, so the piece isn't just about one idea of trauma."

Long tries to keep performances around five minutes each and is always surprised by how much he learns about the audience members through their participation in that short amount of time. He says allowing things to happen organically with the audience in the context of the performance always leaves him uncertain whether the piece will work or fail -- which is one of his favorite parts.

Originally from Bald Knob, Long did not start creating his performance pieces until attending graduate school at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art outside Detroit. He has since performed and spoken about his work internationally. Now living in Los Angeles, Long's performance at Bottle Rocket will be his first in his home state, in front of a live audience.

"I've always wanted to get back and do a show here, so it's really exciting when someone puts complete faith in you and let's you explore something new, especially in Arkansas," Long says of his invitation from Leflar. "She asked if I had any new ideas I've been wanting to try out, so this piece will be a little different from my latest works. I'm not sure how it will work, and that's exciting for me."

Katy Henriksen, a "Bottle Rocketeer" as employees are called, says when the gallery was founded two years ago, the point was to encourage a cultural exchange between the local art community and a large outside community of artists who might not otherwise visit Fayetteville. In expanding the artist residency program at Bottle Rocket, Henriksen says bringing artists from around the country in to Northwest Arkansas for weeks at a time allows those outside voices to become part of the community dialogue.

"The audience doesn't just come in, see the work and then leave," Leflar adds. "We have parties, the artist is introduced to the community, and I think that builds more of a relationship than simply viewing the art."

Long will speak to the University of Arkansas art department at 5:30 p.m. Thursday -- and that's another exciting aspect of the visit.

"When I was a kid, nobody told me I could be an artist. I love coming in and saying, 'This is how it works, this is how it worked for me.' I want these kids to feel like 'Wow, I feel like this is possible, even if I'm just from Arkansas.' If you don't stop, you'll make it."

NAN What's Up on 08/28/2015