Performance Art - Plastic Fruit for Hungry Mouths

An original performance art piece by Michael Frederick Ahmad

Anne Slagill
News Editor

The passing of Proposition 8 has inspired protests throughout San Diego, including one this past weekend that attracted an estimated 25,000 participants. While some activists marched en masse, junior Michael Ahmad chose to lock himself in a cage. His artistic demonstration, which he titled Plastic Fruit for Hungry Mouths, drew a crowd outside of the USD University Center during dead hours last Thursday.

Ahmad sat unspeaking in a metal dog cage that was lined with newspapers. A sign attached to the cage read, Do not feed the homosexuals. Three paper grocery bags placed just out of his reach were filled with plastic fruit and labeled Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness.

Some onlookers found the demonstration laughable. I think this is weird and unnecessary, Joey Bailey, a sophomore, said. Others, including Professor Evelyn Diaz-Cruz of the Theater Department, saw it as a poignant example of performance protest.

This is heartbreaking. Its humiliating and he puts it right in our face so that we can see how we treat members of our society like animals, Diaz-Cruz said.

During his performance, Ahmad shook the cage and signed desperately for food. Many were startled and responded by snapping photos with their cell phones. Others attempted to feed him with plastic fruit from the paper bags. This would not suffice, and he shook his head in disappointment.

Ahmad explained the symbolism in an interview. Ultimately, the rights weve been fed are nothing more than plastic fruit, he said.

Junior Anita Watts shared a bottle of water with the activist. It was clear from her pained expression that Ahmads demonstration was a moving one for her. Its a very powerful statement, Watts said.

Two other actors assisted with the performance. Whenever the cage was opened, these two would swoop in and stuff Ahmad back inside. They took away any real food he acquired and pinned signs to his cage that read, Prop 8 is law.

The demonstration had an immediate effect. Students could be heard discussing civil rights issues in large groups even as the performance was transpiring. What is outrageous about Prop 8 is not only the rights it takes away but that in our country we can legislate discrimination, senior Soroya Rowley said. Proponents of the proposition were engaged in the debate as well, but declined to go on the record.

Larry Williamson, a professor of communication studies, was impressed with Ahmads work. The symbolism is obvious, its well done, he said. This is what universities are supposedly doing, supposed to be about.

The reason I did this is because historically we have seen that separate but equal does not work, Ahmad said.
It only serves to tread on human dignity. The institution may tell us not to feed the homosexuals, but it is our obligation as progressive-minded people to subvert and seek out the food that will nourish.

The Vista, November 20, 2008

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• Hungry
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• transgender
• queer
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• Frederick
• Ahmad
• Performance
• Art

[starrygreeneyes]

This.

Is.

Epic.

I seriously want to do shit like this in Salt Lake. The Mormons would flip.

[rebelmars]

People's reactions tell so much:

1, walk by the weird guy.

2, take pictures.

3, stay out of other people's pictures.

4, don't get involved, until you see someone ELSE get involved first.

*sigh*

Excellent job, Artist <3 !

[Namnarooni]

One word for the cameraman...  DECAF !!

[hildegarnzxz]

@starrygreeneyes I'm Mormon, and I say go for it. I think I would be awesome!

[solensdatter2]

This just brilliant ::))

[christian14525]

@anolemia

Fuck you!

[Anolemia]

The message portrayed by this piece of art is moving and emotional. As a request this should be performed at a protest or rally against the gay community.

[insula07]

GREAT!!!

[maninwhitedress]

nice

[flyjasonfly]

wow. this is really good.

i will look into considering bringing

this to the UCLA campus and/or in fact,

more conservative campuses in LA