Interview: Mella Faye on The Gift
Mella Faye, the host of The Gift, appearing in the trailer for the show!
We are just a couple of weeks away from opening night of The Gift - an immersive experience where art meets food!
Ahead of opening night, we had a chat with our co-conspirator, Mella Faye, to answer some more questions about the nights in store and how to be as involved (or not involved) as you want to be…
How did The Gift come to be?
I am part of a collective of artists who get together to share practices; some are art practices, and some are practices in how to reinvent the way we do ‘human being’. We’ve been inspired by the imagination and audacity of other artist happenings such as Burning Man and Social Muscle Club.
The Gift came out of one of these gatherings, and from a curiosity about what it would be like to simply ask for what you want and celebrate what you have to give, by being yourself, without obligation or duty.
How do you balance the various elements of the show (a feast, a game, a ritual, a show)?
We’re having a lot of fun creating a playground that has the capacity to be any and all of these things. It’s really in the hands of the audience to discover and determine what we do in that playground.
How will the audience involvement shape and influence what happens?
The audience will be asked, ‘What do you want to receive, experience or give to the evening?’ It could be an object, an activity or a fantasy. There are only two no-gos: no sex, no money.
And then we put it to the room to see if anyone has an urge to respond with an idea or offer.
What would you say to people who might be nervous about diving into this experience?
Your nervousness is so welcome! None of us are used to asking for what we want. And importantly, you do not have to do anything. You are encouraged to check in with yourself about what you really want. If you want to quietly witness the divine chaos of the evening from the sidelines, then that is what you can ask for, and that would be a very simple want to achieve!
What are you most looking forward to during this run of shows?
I’m looking forward to being in the messy flow of an evening of unexpected laughs, tears and happenings with a bunch of brilliant humans.
What do you hope audiences take away from the experience?
A full heart, a full belly, loads of new friends, and a radical alternative to the rodeo of Christmas capitalism!
Finally, you have one sentence - sell it!
Yes, you could stay in the safe cocoon of your living room with your scrolling device, or you could bravely come and join us on a wild adventure of human presence and connection. You are The Gift; it only works if you’re there.