Don’t be surprised if you spot an alien donning a space suit and helmet ambling through Sydney’s city-centre next week.

You can relax – you aren’t imagining things.

‘Alien’ – between a slum and a hard place’ is performance art being carried out by renowned artist, architect and academic from UNSW’s College of Fine Arts, Professor Richard Goodwin.

Goodwin will arrive by boat at Circular Quay and then make his way to Town Hall via Governor Macquarie Tower, Martin Place and Pitt Street.

This performance compliments his research interest in the boundaries between public spaces and architecture.

This artistic experiment will serve his recent academic work on the ‘porosity’ of a city – that is, how easy it is for citizens to access buildings.

“These are areas are highly surveyed,” says Goodwin. “I want to see how far I can get before security guards stop me. It will provide a better understanding of what happens if you look like an alien – someone who does not fit.”

The suit and photographs of Tuesday’s performance will be part of an exhibition Professor Goodwin will hold next month.

2pm – 26 October 2010 at Customs House, Circular Quay.

Richard Goodwin
richard-goodwin.com