Dear Coryl,As you and I planned, we'll spend the afternoon and evening together. We'll do some shopping, have dinner at a restaurant, maybe later stop off at the Harrisons's party. During this time, which will be considered in all respects normal time, we'll do the following piece. It will weave in and out of the everyday aspects of our day together.Each of us will carry with us in a plastic bag a mirror (about 15'' square). During this day, whenever either of us wishes to do so, we will ask the other to be still for a moment and will look into our mirror and focus on the reflection of a part of the other's body: an eye, a mouth, the whole face, a hand, a foot or knee, etc. (...)When we've got the part of the body we want, we'll trace with our finger tip, as slowly or rapidly as we wish, the outline of that body part; or we can fill in the outline as if painting it. When we're finished we'll put the mirror back in the bag and go on doing our shopping or whatever.Alternatively, we may want to carry out a variation of this activity. One of us will decide at some particular time to ask the other to be still for a moment, will look at a part of the other's body directly: an ear, a hip or back, a crotch, a finger. Then instead of tracing the outline of that part on the mirror, or filling it in, we'll trace it on the other's body.This, too, will be a kind of editing or choosing; and how we do it will depend on how we feel and what we're thinking. Our touch can be detached, or tender, or absorbed in curiosity; it can be very brief or extended. And during all these times we'll be free to talk as usual, and to talk about what's happening. These two alternative activities can be carried out in any order or repetition.Throughout the day, and depending on where we are in public or alone, we can also ask one another to modify how a particular part of our body is to be seen: by changing a position, adding or removing an object like a glass of water, adding or removing some clothes. If we're asked to take off our clothes, sexual feelings are not necessarily the point of the piece, but neither are they excluded. (...)Where the "piece" is and where it isn't is up to each of us to decide. (...) Finally, the piece is meant to honor your birthday this December 21st. But if we wish we can extend it beyond this day.with love,your Allan
Allan Kaprow, score for Piece for Coryl's Birthday
