Favorite Video Art Performance

I've been a huge fan of Improv Everywhere since about 2008, when I first saw them on youtube.
I love improvisation and involving the public sphere in a transient moment that's being recorded and has so much intent behind it on the part of the artists, and is so fleeting and absurd to those unsuspecting others captured in the moment.

Here's one called the mp3 Experiment, which every year has been gaining momentum (this one is from 2012, and it's the 9th annual installment). In this particular video, over 4,000 people participated. You'll get the gist of it when you watch it.

Here's another called the 1860's Bar, it's very jolly and puts two guys in a beautifully crafted, full-on performance piece, where they interact and explore this spontaneous-to-them world. Their reactions are great to watch, I don't think I could see this without a smile creeping up on my face. It's interesting how in the vast majority of these videos, everyone who isn't in on the bit reflexively laughs and smiles.

I encourage you to check out Food Court Musical, and Frozen Grand Central, both of which went viral shorty after they came out in 2007.

Lastly, if you're still with me at this point, No Shirts is a great social commentary as well as a comedic awakening to men's bodies in pop culture compared to reality. So often the focus is on the  idolization of distorted women's bodies, but here 111 men take off their shirts and explore a large, multi-floored Abercrombie. I especially love the interactions between the model at the entrance, and the other men.