In the Galleries
Maia Chao's performance "Being Moved" took place on the 7th floor of the Whitney Museum of American Art as part of the Whitney Biennial. Audience members rode a crowded, noisy elevator to the gallery, where performers mimicked distracted museum visitors—sneezing, chatting, taking photos, and ignoring the art. Choreography by Lena Engelstein featured gestures like scratching, tying shoes, and picking wedgies, with standout physical comedy by dancer James Barrett. Chao also installed text scores on the Biennial floor, inviting viewers to interact with the museum space.