REMINDING the HUMAN is PRIMATE

 

The Guerrilla Chimpanzee Theater Company presents occurrences around Wesleyan University at times and places unbeknownst to the Wesleyan community. They are not chimpanzees, or gorillas, or bonobos, and certainly not monkeys. They are primates. Human primates with the intention of reminding those other primates walking around, going to classes, eating lunch, holding hands that they are primates, too - like chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans who all share with us the common association of Great Ape.

We have no answers for those who ask; we only come humbly offering questions.

 

OCCURRENCE # 1: REAL LIVE PRIMATES

INSTRUCTIONS: Ask to be let out, ask for food, ask for entertainment, ask if anyone knows anything about why we are in this cage. Who put us here? How can we get out? WhatÕs it like if we do get out? When the outsiders question us, the only answer is: ÒI donÕt know.Ó

 

RESPONSES from the outsiders:

á      Why are you in there?

á      Is this a social psych class?

á      Do you really want me to tear this cage down?

á      Why do you want to get out? YouÕre in there with toys and friends; out here people are all alone.

á      Primates donÕt read (after being asked to give us a book).

á      These questions are too existential for me to answer.

á      Is this an animal rights thing?

á      Can I be in the cage with you?

á      That made me feel uncomfortable. Good Job.

á      Etc.

 

PHOTOS:

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OCCURRENCE # 2: THE GREAT APE PHYLOGENETIC PARADE

INSTRUCTIONS: Create masks with Middletown youth from the Green Street Arts Center after school program. Masks should aim to depict the defining features of the different Great Apes. The artists can choose to make a mask of any of the Great Apes: Orangutans, Gorillas, Humans, Chimpanzees or Bonobos. (Most will end up making Gorilla masks inspired by King Kong). We will then march to WesleyanÕs Usdan campus center, tie ropes to a center apex suggesting our common ancestry, and with shouts proclaiming each speciesÕ time of origin, the mass of Great Apes will begin to evolve into the species we know today, staying with their common ancestors for as long as possible. 10 Million Years Ago: Orangutans! 8 Million Years Ago: Gorillas! 6 Million Years Ago: Humans! 4 Million Years Ago: Chimpanzees and Bonobos!

 

PHOTOS:

 

OCCURRENCE # 3: Social Intelligence and Prize Sharing?

INSTRUCTIONS: A bunch of bananas (AND $50!) will be hanging from a 20ft. high wire. Random pieces of unstable furniture is scattered below the contraption, and, if stacked, can be used to reach the prize. Step back and watch to see if outside primates will see the prize, figure out what to do and achieve the goal. If they do get it, will they share? Who will climb and who will keep things steady? Will we get shut down by the university for creating a dangerous, yet enticing experiment? (Yes. But we are quick to point out that we are set up right next to the football fieldÉa stadium built for an inherently dangerous, university condoned activityÉhmmm).

 

PHOTOS:

 

VIDEO

 

 

To get involved email Anthony Nikolchev.