Milan Kohout, Mari Novotny-Jones , “Zoo”, 1995.

A Dialogue Between Individualism and Collectivism, Framed by a Cage. Franklin Park, Boston USA; collaborative outdoor performance with Mari Novotny-Jones,
Videography: Bob Raymond
In Kohout’s words:
“Novotny-Jones and I were seated across from one another on opposite sides of a table inside a huge abandoned zoo cage. It was sharply divided into two different colors, and we were dressed correspondingly. We repeatedly, ceaselessly, passed ‘meals’ to each other that were designed accor- ding to the principle of opposing life philosophies (sharply contrasting colors). The ‘meal’ would be soberly brushed aside by each recipient. By this mutual refusal to taste the opposing side’s meal, the cycle of refusals was repeated for several hours. This cycle kept us from developing the mutual under- standing that would lead to the prevention of otherwise inevitable violent conflict.”