A WEDDING IN SPROUL PLAZA

August 8, 1997
Berkeley, California

Location: Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley

A marriage ceremony between two characters—"Carlos and Angie," a Mexican man (Iván Castillo) and an American woman (Kila Bates)—was promoted at UC Berkeley. To this end, flyers were distributed across the university campus, particularly in Sproul Plaza, where thousands of students pass daily. The public was invited to witness a wedding taking place in the plaza.

A string quartet led by violinist Tom Swafford was engaged for this performance. They played a traditional Ecuadorian piece as the couple walked toward the "pulpit" (an art installation). The performance was intended to question the social, political, and ideological reality of Latinos in California.

This action is more complex than previous ones due to its proximity to theater, yet it is primarily a performance-art parody.
The events unfolded as follows:

1) The audience began to arrive, though many people simply walked by without paying attention to the proceedings. An installation serving as a "pulpit" had been set up; the performer David Toro, portraying the "pastor," was stationed there.

2) The couple positioned themselves on a canvas laid out like a mat and walked along it toward the "pulpit," accompanied by the musicians.

3) The lead performer interrupted the couple's procession by placing a Mexican hat in their path; he also moved away to interact with the audience before the couple resumed their walk.

4) The "pastor" began his speech once the couple arrived before him.

5) Flanking the "pastor" were two body-painted performers (Erick Ochshorm and Paul Schuete), each with a bag of raw rice beside them.

6) Performer Damián Toro continued interacting with spectators; at one point, he crossed the pulpit area—passing beneath the flags held by the pastor—before moving away again.

7) The couple embraces—while also holding the flags of the United States and Cuba—before placing them on the ground.

8) The performers holding the rice stand up and begin tossing it excitedly; a fight then breaks out between them and the "pastor" against the lead performer (Damián Toro), until he is captured and subdued.

9) A procession takes place to conclude the performance.

Performers: Damián Toro, David Toro, Iván Castillo, Kila Bates, Erick Ochshorm, Paul Schuette
Musicians: Tom Swafford, Greg Pitter, Jenny Sheiman, Patty Liu
Filming: Ananda Esteva, Joyce Kawahata, Josh Kahn
Photography: Katia, Beatriz Flores

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