Dallas Videofest 2009 - There is Never a Reference Point

66 min.

There is Never a Reference Point is a documentary of a performance immersion inspired by Jamie Dakis, a woman diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, commonly known as multiple personality disorder. The performance took the form of an immersive, interactive 'walk-through' event where 'visitors' explored and experienced each of Jamie's eight personalities. Using live and media performance, Jamie's personalities presented themselves, interacting, sharing histories, artifacts, visions, and inspirations, to portray the complexity of her overlapping, shifting and multiple realities. Each visitor had a unique perspective and put together their own understanding of a Jamie's world, and in turn, their own. In addition to Jamie, the host, the personalities included, 1) Patty, the conflicted teenager, 2) Misty, the young stripper, 3) James, the cowboy protector, 4) Rita, the teacher and student, 5) Marta, the judgmental mother, 6) Magick, the fun loving sensualist, 7) Chica, the innocent dancer and artist, and 8) Cleopatra, the wise and reassuring queen and goddess. In addition to the performers, the real Jamie Dakis, participated in each performance. The performance was devised and directed by Thomas Riccio, and presented by Story Lab, a Dallas based initiative to research and develop new performance expressions. Riccio has directed experimental works nationally and internationally and has worked extensively in the area of ritual and indigenous performance in Alaska, Africa, Asia, and Siberia.

Information from the festival's website