It’s not often that you find the solution to ‘love, the universe and yourself’ in one evening. CUPID at the MAC by the performance trio subject to_change (Abigail Conway, Lara Haworth and Lucy Hayhoe) was a soft, dreamlike experience. Painting a ceramic heart, hanging it on a string and then shooting it with a bow and arrow felt like childhood fantasy play, particularly under the warm studio lights.
Having your heart and your deepest secrets (written on a piece of paper and slotted into the ceramic heart) unexpectedly attacked by an unknown archer can be seen to be a metaphor for love at first sight. On the other hand, if you are a more literal individual (or just very competitive), then it was your physical archery skills which were put to the test. Three arrows to hit the heart of your choice: if you succeed, the heart is yours, if you fail, you leave empty- handed. The mystery remains, however, as to whether someone elsein the audience was aiming for your heart…
Being whisked away from reality for a Sunday evening was a wonderfully relaxing experience. I only wish I was a better shot!