Performance Art is a multi-channel video installation by Barbara Cleveland (the collective formerly known as Brown Council), created specifically for the Jackson Bella Room at the MCA. Designed as an immersive and interactive environment for young people with specific needs, the work playfully re imagines the history of performance art through the lens of absurdist theatre and children’s television.

The installation comprises two video works: Performance Art (15 Actions for the Face), a dual-channel video, and Performance Art (Group Action), a single-channel piece. Both invite audience interaction through simple, face-based instructions—such as “Say hello without moving your face” or “Touch your nose with your tongue”—delivered via title cards and voiceover. The artists perform these instructions with humour and spontaneity, encouraging viewers to become performers themselves.

I was responsible for all sound editing and mixing for the video content. The sound design was simple, and kept the playful and instructional tone of the work while ensuring clarity. My approach balanced the artists’ live vocal performances with carefully mixed ambience, maintaining the atmosphere without overwhelming the physical space.