the Mercurysterius Nature of Desire (VIDEO ART PROJECT)
multidisciplinary project by JE Bernys
The Mercurysterius Nature of Desire is a multidisciplinary art video I recently created, combining elements of sound poetry and performance art.
The term "mercurysterius" is a fusion of the words mysterious and Mercury, symbolizing my belief that the nature of desire is both enigmatic and comparable to the Greek myth of Mercurius (Carl Jung-type stuff).
Originally, the video was intended to show me seated in a white room at a distance, including jeans visible. However, due to the demanding nature of reciting an already exhausting transcript while performing, I had to stay focused on the material. Sitting far from my monitor made this impossible, so I chose to perform in my living room instead.
In the performance, I discuss desire, gradually altering one word at a time by whispering until the line transforms into, "There are as many ways to live as there are people in this world, said the old woman as she kissed the cow." This line suggests the mysterious nature of why people have such different desires, underscoring their inherent mystery.