Chiara Mu's Reality Performance in Naples Metro

Chiara Mu, born in Rome in 1974, presented a performance called Reality at the Municipio station of Naples' Metro Line 1. During the event, she engaged solitary men on the escalators by playing the song Reality from The Time of the Apples through her headphones to provoke physical interaction. Following a quiet ride, she handed each man a note that read, "Without reciprocity... there is only prevarication. This is Reality." The performance sought to challenge traditional gender dynamics, inducing feelings of discomfort and confusion. Mu's concept was inspired by disruptions from men during a site visit, utilizing the escalator as a symbol for both movement and passivity. Her focus on men is also evident in her earlier work, Stigma, curated by Francesca Guerisoli for a Milan event addressing violence against women.