Introduction

The Tongue is a Hook is a 29 minute performance that was presented at Guido Costa Projects in Turin in 2013. Like my other monologues, it is based on a repetitive and seemingly solipsistic investigation of my perceptions and habits of expression. In this case the monologue constructs itself initially around my emotional reaction to the suicide of my accountant. From there it leads into a series of comparisons: myself to Tom Hanks, the brushing of my teeth to the Normandy beach landing in World War II, my mind to a beetle inside of a box. In the end, the simple subject of the performance is that you should never be your only point of reference.

Please view the 4 minute trailer by following this link: https://vimeo.com/112682627

The full performance is visible here: https://vimeo.com/203115624 using the password: laborsite

Tom Johnson
2009