Recently Rejected Artist Harriet Richardson set to date 100 people on Valentine’s day 

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We spoke with online performance artist Harriet Richardson, as she gears up for a unique Valentine’s Day filled with 100 virtual dates. Step into her world as she prepares for a day that promises rejection, connection, and Zoom.

“I’m excited to announce my latest work ‘100 Dates’, a collaborative online performance taking place on Valentine’s Day 2024. From early morning until midnight, I will be engaging in back-to-back video calls, dating over 100 different people for 5 minutes each. This performance will be accomplished without any breaks, challenging my endurance for human interaction in the form of video conversation.”

Within 1 hour of launching the open call for this project on Thursday 8^th February, all 100 available dates were claimed. The launch post reads as follows:

“OPEN CALL: I’m looking for 100 people to join me for 100 virtual dates on Valentine’s Day. 

A Valentine’s date with me is open to all ages, genders, orientations, and relationship statuses. No need to be single (friendship dates on one of the most depressing days of the year is totally a thing). Exes, artists, singletons, colleagues, old flames, friends I’ve not met yet, collaborators, people I’ve accidentally ghosted, that one guy I fancy, cats and landlord’s husbands are all welcome. 

I will be recording a selection of the dates for an exhibition later this year, however this is not mandatory. Please put a note on your booking to opt out of being recorded during this performance. The dates will take place on Wednesday 14th February from 8am – 11:59pm GMT, in 5 minute slots. Date attire is encouraged but is not a necessity (I’m easy). One date per person. 100 slots available now. Link in bio to book x”

“As the way we process and consume information continues to be heavily influenced by the fast-paced nature of platforms like TikTok, it’s interesting to consider how this might affect our approach to virtual high-speed dating. Can we truly form meaningful connections in such a short amount of time, especially with so many options at our disposal? How does this impact the longevity and intimacy of the relationships we form? Could this rapid-fire approach to meeting people yield long-lasting and meaningful relationships, or are we prematurely exhausting our capacity for connection?”

“I think the power of this artwork is that it’s collaborative and therefore unpredictable; meaning it hasn’t truly come to exist in its concept until the involvement of the participants. Among the date line-up, you will find artists such as Anna Choutova, Phillip Jupitus, Mr.Bingo, John Cooper Clark and Jonas Zieher. They, along with 95 other unique individuals, will contribute to a diverse and engaging set of encounters, each bringing their own narratives and date-personas to the table.”

“My journey into performance art began unexpectedly during a Climate March in 2019. The protest signs I created for the march struck a chord with many, gaining attention and traction far beyond my expectations. Since then, I’ve used my art as a platform to provoke thought and conversation through somewhat unconventional means. ‘100 Dates’ is a continuation of this journey, a new exploration into a realm that is universal yet innately personal — modern dating.”

“The idea for this project was born out of a painful personal experience. After developing a crush on a man who slid into my Instagram DM’s, and talking to him with consistent and matched enthusiasm a month, we finally decided meet in person. It wasn’t until I was sitting across from him in a brightly lit London caf that I realised how alien our late-night exchanges and explicit image sharing building to this moment now felt. Post-date, it dawned on me that the sting of rejection from a digital exchange can often feel more hurtful and intense than a fleeting in-person mismatch. This is due not only the investment of time and energy, but also the sense that the other person has already been a visitor in both your home and your bed. By hosting 100 dates in my own house, I hope to delve deeper into the dynamics of digital interactions and the potential for authentic, sustainable connection.”

“Portions of the performance will be live streamed on my Instagram, allowing for real-time voyeurism from those who didn’t manage to book a date. The live element invites viewers from around the world to engage with the performance and become part of the narrative. For those curious about the aftermath, I will also be documenting the entire experience to provide a lasting record of this unique exploration of rejection, connection, and art.”

Instagram: @hatsrichardson