A Dapper Undressing — Collective Sweat Detroit

THE CONTEXT

This score is based on the idea of coming to terms with one's body in the way that it is in any given moment. How can we accept our naked body even if it is not our desired body? How can we learn to live and exist in our own queer and gendered bodies?

THE SCORE

Put on your most dapper outfit. Whatever that means for you. Add jewelry. Add makeup. Whatever feels right for you in that moment. What would you wear to a date party? Maybe put on that.

DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT UNTIL YOU HAVE PUT ON YOUR DAPPER OUTFIT!

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Go to your laptop or other electronic device. Pull up your audio browser of choice and create a radio station out of the song At Last by Etta James.

Lay down on the ground wherever you are. Feel the floor for a moment. What does it feel like with your body resting on it? What is the texture?

Take off your clothes. WITHOUT YOUR HANDS. Do not use your hands at all. That means no fingers and no palms. You may use your carpal bones proximally along your upper limb and every other part of your body. Get creative. Your hands can be used as support to touch the floor with but cannot be used directly to remove your clothes.

There are no current restrictions on use of external objects and resources.

Take breaks when needed. Try to remain as horizontal as possible.

Take off all of your clothes. Strip fully nude.

Once you have accomplished this lay fully nude on the ground. Absorb your surroundings. How does your body feel? Feel the rug burn on your stomach and the pain in your teeth. Allow yourself to lay naked for the rest of whatever song is currently playing.

Then stand up. Put on your comfiest boxers and shirt or lack of shirt of your choosing. Stop the music.

The score is complete.

ABOUT ROSE JANUSIAK

Rose Janusiak is a trans queer dance artist who currently attends the University of Michigan pursuing a dual degree in Dance and Applied Exercise Science. They are currently exploring their own research in pleasure activism as a dance practice and diving deeply in a solo practice focused around their embodied experience with gender.