Today,  we’re bombarded with clips of everyday people getting “Auf’d,”  voted off the island, or not receiving the rose. We evaluate these individuals, and remove them from the playing field because of the negative associations others assign them. In today’s culture, we tend to assume that we too are always being judged negatively.

This was especially evident recently,  when VP+C did a project with New York based anonymous performance artists The Bumbys. Offering a “Fair and Honest Appraisal of your Appearance,” Gill & Jill Bumby provided assessments of guests based on a purely visual interaction.

For many, this was nerve wracking- the thought of being judged, with no other factor to influence the oddly-dressed duo except your outward appearance. (The Bumbys do not speak, and wear headphones to prevent conversation from swaying their assessments).  However, some stepped up to the challenge and, while nervous, were very pleased with the experience. Many people were cautious about what they automatically expected to be a negative assessment. However, each and every assessment picks up on a positive aspect of the person and draws it out further. And in some instances, were spot on:

One assessment complimented a guest on her rare lipstick color and how she appeared to be a woman who took chances with confidence. The woman admitted to me that her lipstick was indeed rare- it was a color she had custom made after it was discontinued. Her friends often went to her to find out the latest trends.

Another assessment stated that the guest looked as if she was well educated, spoke 3 languages and owned her own business. After reading the assessment, she asked the Bumbys handler if they had ESP- she was self-employed and did indeed speak 3 languages.

Reading appraisal after appraisal, people realized that this was not a critique they would be receiving, but an assessment that highlighted a positive aspect of how you present yourself. While not all were 100% accurate, every appraisal was a compliment and almost always did note some true aspect of the person.

For once, in our more real “reality”, putting yourself on the line ended up being a bit of an ego boost!