9 to 5 is an endurance performance from 2018 in which I attempt to count every hair on my body as a meditative, healing action. It was first performed in Mainz, Germany, repeating and ending in Chico, California. 9 to 5 was inspired by the loss and mental work involved in transitioning my life to Germany. The performance aesthetically and in its rules references my time working in an office as a receptionist and file clerk.
Like many of my works, its creation began with a poem:
I decided to leave everything behind to come here.
There is no boyfriend, cats or job anymore,
nothing and no waiting for me,
greeting me at the door,
no distractions.
It’s just me.
So,
I guess I better learn to deal with myself.
During this first iteration of the performance, 77,614 hairs were counted over the course of 62 hours.
Over the course of 35 hours, 50,642 more hairs were counted, bringing the total number to 128, 256.