ENJOY THE SILENCE

Students of the arts, next time you’re feeling bored in class, just think about Ernesto Pujol. To further his studies, the site-specific performance artist and social choreographer made the unorthodox decision to take a vow of silence for several years as a cloistered monk. That period of his life has informed many of his works, which often involve quietly walking for long stretches of time. For his first public piece in New York, Time After Us, the artist takes over the glorious St. Paul’s Chapel to explore the idea of going back in time with a 24-hour work in which Pujol and 23 artists (who will enter at different times during the first 12 hours) walk counterclockwise and backwards in a circle. All are welcome to come and go throughout the performance, which is part of the French Institute Alliance Française’s Crossing the Line Festival.

Thu., Oct. 3, 10:30 a.m., 2013