It was a personal brush with suicide that motivated Chris Barr's somber performance art project, which he hopes will raise awareness of one of the biggest killers of young people in America.
In February 2003, Barr's younger brother Tony took his own life, leaving behind only a letter saying that he could be found at a tree where he and his father had carved their names. Based on that letter, Barr, a UB graduate student in art, has created a video Web log with a series of Internet video posts portraying him standing in front of a tree for 17 minutes, until he falls over.
The first post was created on Nov. 2, Tony's birthday.
"I stand there for 17 minutes because every 17 minutes in the U.S., someone commits suicide," said Barr. "I also do this in front of a tree because it's a way for me to have a conversation with my brother."
Barr considers each post as an opportunity for reflection and contemplation as well as a way to directly deal with his brother's circumstance.
"I wanted to do a project like this because there is a stigma about mental health in the U.S. and people need to realize that suicides can be prevented," said Barr.
With approximately 56 video blog postings online, Barr has received mixed reactions from family members and friends.
"My family is used to me doing strange artwork but I've had people express that it was a good way to create social commentary," said Barr.
Barr said the mixed reviews to his project have also opened the door to different interpretations of his artwork.
"Some people relate the tree to the tree of knowledge, the tree of life, the family tree, and some even relate it to Buddha contemplating under a tree. But it doesn't have to mean any of these to people," Barr said.
Barr feels there are many problems with society's perception of mental illness and that the issue does not receive much attention in the public eye. He said mental illnesses are just as important as any other illness and that it should receive the same attention in order to help build awareness.
He also said his project can be considered performance art and that it is not a piece in memory of his brother, but rather a way to spread awareness about suicide and mental health.
"Suicides are hushed and swept under the carpet in the U.S., but with this I want to make a place for mental health issues," he said. "I think that there is a place in the societal and political view for problems that affect your personal life."
According to Barr, this project is important because mental health issues are prevalent on college campuses.
"My brother was 20 years old when he committed suicide so this is an issue that affects college students," Barr said.
Because suicide has affected Barr and his family, he said that is important for everyone to be aware of the people around them and that it is also important for people to help those who may seem like they are going through trouble.
"People need to be aware and be tuned into those who may have a mental illness. If someone looks like they're having a problem, you need to be there to offer help," Barr said.
The blogs can be found online at www.chrisbarr.net. There is also a link for visitors to leave Barr a message responding to what they see in the videos. On the Web site, visitors can also find various organizations and resources for individuals to go to for help and guidance with a mental illness or suicide.
"One important thing is that if a college student has problems, don't be afraid to go get help," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
