220

Overview

For two hours each night, from 8 to 10 p.m. on September 10–12, 1971, performance artist Chris Burden was bolted to the stone floor of F Space in Santa Ana, California, for a piece titled Prelude to 220, or 110. Immobilized in a supine position by copper cuffs around his hands and feet, Burden was flanked by two buckets of water, each containing a live wire charged to 110 volts. Viewers were thus presented with a choice to participate in the performance by spilling the water. If the water spilled, Burden risked severe electrocution, and nearby visitors could also be harmed.