Join Martin O’Brien for this rambling meditation on mortality, end of the world prophecy and the undead. It is a combination of spoken text, live action and video projection using the footage from his installation by the same name.
Due to his cystic fibrosis Martin grew up thinking he would die at 30. The footage was filmed in 2017 during the 30 hours leading up to his 30th birthday. In this performance lecture, he uses his own position to open up wider questions around the politics of death in life and the potential for a zombie based apocalyptic scenario.
Biography
Martin O’Brien is an artist and zombie. His performance and video art uses physical endurance, long durations, and pain based practices in order to examine what it means to be born with a life shortening disease.
Martin has a life limiting condition and all of his work and writing draws upon this experience. He has developed a cult following and is best known for his long durational solo performances and his collaborations with legendary body artist Sheree Rose. He has performed throughout the UK, Europe, USA, and Canada.
In 2018, the book Survival of the Sickest: The Art of Martin O’Brien was published by Live Art Development Agency. He was artist in residence at One National Gay and Lesbian Archives, LA. He is currently lecturer in Drama, Theatre and Performance at Queen Mary University of London. He recently surpassed his life expectancy and is enjoying life as a zombie.
Suitable for 18+
Running time 1.5 hours.
Photo credit: Manuel Vason