'Diet Coke Is Illegal In The Philippines' is the latest work by BestCleo (aka Cleo Roberts) who's been especially commissioned by Land of Kings Festival to create a socio-psychosis based experiment that will later become an artist film. Set in Cafe Bliss, participants will drink and dine to a three-course meal, whilst simultaneously being entertained by a philosophical lecture from Dr Wolfe, a ballet performance, brain burst bingo and live music. Cleo talks to us about Goncharova, Kandinsky, Ballet Russe, her work, the drugs industry, and inspiring the inquisitive in us all!

RR: You've been involved with the Art and Interactive Programme at the Land of Kings since it launched in 2010, how has it developed?
BC: Well, what started as lugging a UV ping pong table into a post war bunker for our first Dungeon of Discovery installation, has grown to incorporate a multitude of Dalston venues hosting local creative talent. Last year we ran a King’s Speech lecture series, had live hermit crab racing accompanied by shamanic drumming and performances from Gideon Reeling. This Olympic year, we are back with Literary Death Match, Live Art Speed Dating and a poetry slam event (amongst other things) as well as exhibitions at Fee Fee La Fou and Tina We Salute You. Too much to mention!
 
RR: Right! Let's hear more about your latest work! 'Diet Coke Is Illegal In The Philippines' is a truly conceptual experience that looks quirkily informative, deliciously fun, slightly dark, and totally surreal. What lead you to combine live ballet, music, food, a philosophy lecture and bingo?
BC: In the past I’ve done a lot of writing and research into the notion of a gesamtkunstwerk – ‘whole work of art’. I've been very influenced by the ideas of artists such as Goncharova, Kandinsky and those working with the Ballet Russe - creating a complete work that overwhelms all the senses.

Diet Coke is Illegal in the Philippines reflects my colourful, chaotic yet ordered existence in the world. To combine everything all at once, is pretty much how I function. A ‘whirlwind’ presence is how I’ve been described, and I can only hope my work does justice to this!

RR: The show is described as 'an unsettling and surreal happening challenging our understanding of mental health'. Can you tell us more about the inspiration?
BC: Mental health (although I am dubious of that term) has become foreground recently. I have had a number of close experiences with various kinds of ‘disorders’. The pill popping culture, and the attitude of needing to ‘right’ someone has lead to me explore this topic.
 
I am reluctant to believe in what has been established as a register of ‘disorders’. The labelling of people as depressed/psychotic/bipolar can indeed encourage the individual to fulfil the brief as it were. The act of an authorised medical figure prescribing packaged, certified chemicals, can reinforce one’s belief in being ill and generate dependence. It is important to consider whose knowledge becomes mainstream.
 
It is interesting to think about cross cultural approaches to such illnesses. The context of a situation, will often dictate how it's understood. For example, a psychotic episode in our culture, which predominantly would be seen as something negative, in other cultures would be celebrated. This is why I am so fascinated by shamanistic practices.
 
RR: We have to ask - why is Diet Coke illegal in the Philippines?
BC: Ah ha, this is due to the regulations that surround the sweetener aspartame. A lot of supermarkets (eg. M&S and Sainsburys) don't use this sweetener in their own brand products - due to it being a neurotoxin at certain temperatures in the body. This is why, on the continent you get Coca Cola Light as it doesn't contain aspartame, but an alternative sweetner.

RR: Drug based treatments for so-called mental disorders (including psychosis) have turned the drugs industry into one of the most profitable in the UK. How do you feel about this?
BC: People enjoy taking drugs, be them legal or illegal. The profitablilty of the industry testifies to this. It is not my intention to be polemic and say drugs are bad; they fulfil a function and offer people respite and a form of managing their world. This is applicable for those taking drugs prescriptively or recreationally.

What I am interested in is taking a more encompassing perspective and exploring other avenues of treatment that don't involve an ingestion of manufactured chemicals. Therapy, accupunture, kinesiology and Reiki all offer alternative approaches which are gaining recognition by the NHS.
 
If one can naturally get oneself into a mental state, then I believe one can naturally get oneself out of it. The work of Carl Jung is relevant to this. The mind is an exceptionally powerful and malleable tool.
 
RR: What perceptions are you trying to challenge in the show?
BC: I can’t claim to know what people’s perceptions are. I only know my own. Sometimes, I am even unsure of them! What I intend rather, is to make people inquisitive. To encourage people to think about the alternatives, and question the discourses that dominate our culture. Getting your own opinions is what I'm promoting.
 
RR: Do you think we need to be more open as a society about mental health?
BC: I think society should be more open in relation to a lot of things! But yes, the idea of mental health being at odds with physical health is perplexing. Descartes has a lot to answer for!
 
Mental health seems to imply something negative. I have faith in the fact that attitudes will change. There are a lot of organisations doing great work such as Mind Apples. Looking back through the ages, knowledge has always developed and morphed. For example, heroin based medicine used to be the biggest selling cure for children’s teething!
 
RR: If you could change one thing about the way our current society regards mental [ill] health, what would that be?
BC: Let those with mental health 'disorders' do jury service and visit Saudi Arabia.
 
RR: What will deem the show a success?
BC: For people to have enjoyed thinking, playing and eating.  

RR: A final word for our readers?
BC: Hope you can make Friday 4th May.  

BestCleo: 'Diet Coke Is Illegal In The Philippines' at Land of Kings
Cafe Bliss, Dalston
8pm, Friday 4 May
Tickets are just £5 for all Land of Kings Festival Ticket holders
Land of Kings: landofkings.co.uk
Official site, BestCleo: www.bestcleo.com