James King, Eamonn and Friends

Lihi and I wore masks today. Mine was a dark red full-face, traditional mask depicting the smiling face of theatre which is usually paired the mask of tragedy. Presumably, mine represented comedy. Lihi wore a red half mask with black horns, representing a demon. Sandra Johnstone was videoing us, which increased our awareness and focus.

We began in the Guildhall Square, with a simple Follow the Leader score.

One person moves forward and the other copies exactly until both arrive at a suitable place for forming a "frozen", still statue. Moving slowly the statue can be transformed into another shape, and vocal sounds can be added. There was menacing quality to Lihi's movements induced by the mask.

This menace must surely have been experienced by the two men sitting in the cab of the lorry parked in Guildhall Square as we slowly approached. (Most of our movement tended to be slow in oirder to contrast with the frenetic quality of people's lives at this Xmas season) I climbed up onto the high step at the lorry cab door, and Lihi supported my weight in a complementary pose.

In Shipquay Street, outside a pub I sat on low, pillared wall at right angles to the premises. Lihi was frozen a few metres away at ground level. A member of staff appeared and said that I had better move in case thee boss came, for he would surely tell me to leave. This response was typical of businesses who percieve anyhing unusual as a kind of threat. I was in fact increasing interest in the premises, rather than discouraging customers, surely.

We continued to interact with the environment. A tree provoked me to lie spread-eagled at the base manifesting roots, while Lihi hugged the trunk. The oval surrounding wall of a raised garden outside the Richmond Centre allowed us to clamber up and tight-rope walk in slow motion. Facing each other from opposite sides of the garden we were able to stretch appealingly to each other across the shrubbery , emulating the handshake statues at the end of Craigavon Bridge.

Signs on a wall warned people of the dangers of an electrical installation. We stood in a well -defined geometrical pose covering with our hands all the writing except the words KEEP CLEAR. Sound advice for anyone at any time.

In the Richmond Centre we walked hand in hand , hands raised like medieval courtiers. Piped music was playing, so we danced together, at one point Lihi spinning me like a dervish. Eventually the manager arrived and asked us to remove our masks , so we slowly left. In the Foyleside security men grimly interrupted one of our statue arrangements, asking in the most hostile tones imaginable " Can we help you?" We silently shook our heads. They then snarled, "Is everything alright then?" We nodded. They then growled: "Would you like to do that outside then?" We did a slow and circuitous "follow your leader", detour to the furthest exit.

Outside the window of the Richmond Centre's downstairs cafe, Lihi intrigued the customers by the intense interest which she was showing in their food and decorative lighting. Later in the day she pursued the window gazing performance for the entertainment of customers at Sandino's. Bear in mind (and hug the nearest honey-pot) that Lihi has radiantly expressive eyes. Enhanced by the masks eye-holes and her demonic stance her gaze was captivating.

Prior to that we made a visit to Debenham's interior. By this time I had become more possessed by the character of my mask. I adopted the role of a happy enthusiastic child, held by the hand by my stern mother, Lihi. I took a playful interest in everything in the shop, including mirors and furnishings. Lihi , tugging at my hand , kept me on the move. I was admiring some teddy-bears when a security lady appeared. Up until that , the staff had been giving us amused smiles. The security lady was very pleasant and polite. She kindly invited us to remove the masks or move outside the shop. We emoved outside. What this security person had done , essentially was no different from what the others had done, but her manner was so graciuos that left the encounhter with a benevolent feeling - rather than having a sense of being bruised by the encounter.