LA river piece
2017

On June 24 I floated down the Los Angeles River on an inner-tube to attend an opening at an art space in downtown Los Angeles. The river’s concrete bank is next to my apartment, and I had begun to consider it an intriguing and underused way to traverse the city. The majority of my trip was live-streamed from my phone to the space, BBQLA, as I approached.

Textual recall of the piece:

I start my journey shortly before sunset atop two truck tire inner-tubes. At first it is wonderful—I float along swiftly as people wave from the bicycle path. Soon though, unexpectedly difficulties arise. I must carry the inner-tubes over shallow rocky expanses, and use branches to paddle down areas of still water. As the sky darkens the river takes control. I capsize, loosing the snack bar and water bottle meticulously attached to the inner-tube. Mysterious bubbles, jumping creatures, birds and the occasional shadowy figure on the bank are my company for the next few hours. As I float downtown the river becomes fast and narrow. It spins me into circles of delirious nausea as the city’s lights sparkle off its surface. I arrive at BBQLA at midnight. My four hours alone on the river feel like an intimate experience with the underbelly of LA.

This performance occurred along the LA River between Elysian Valley and downtown Los Angeles. Above is a cut of the livestream footage.


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