How to be an Assistant

The role of the assistant is to support the artist and subject, and to make sure everything is moving smoothly. You should review this document on a day prior to the procedure.

Pre-procedure

Arrive early. Help clean up and set up.

Have a notepad/notes app open. You will note several things:

• Snags in the documentation. Anywhere that practice != reference, so we can update the reference. Anything in the docs that is unclear.
• Opportunities for improvement. Suggestions made by subject or artist. You should be looking for these as well.
• During the procedure, you'll ask if the artist has tried any new techniques, and what they've learned, so you can write it down.

Your main job right now is to keep things on track. You will want to have this website pulled up. Reference the process document and its links. When the artist asks "what's next again?" you should have the answer. You should prepare the items needed for the next step while the current one is in progress.

During the Procedure

The artist's job is to do the work, the subject's job is to get cut, and you're there to make it so they don't have to think about anything else. It's better to predict than to react to needs.

One of your roles is as a pair of non-sterile hands. If the artist needs new gauze pads or scalpel blades, it is your job to open them. If they need a drink, you pull down their mask and hold the cup with the straw.

You should periodically check in with the artist if their blade has dulled at all. It is easy for them to forget, or think "it's fine for a bit longer."

You are in charge of maintaining the environment. This means music or media, light, and air circulation/temperature (it's useful to have a CO2 monitor to reference). You should also help keep trash manageable.

If there are any pets (hey, we can't all have a studio space), you'll need to keep them away from the procedure; they may need to be fed or entertained.

It is your job to take pictures and/or videos.

You are also in charge of making sure the subject is comfortable and has what they need. Check in for things that could aid comfort - temperature, music, additional cushioning, hydration, etc. If subject gets nauseous, try fresh, cool air + ginger (or zofran, if you have any). You should make specific inquiries/offers - "are you feeling nauseous?" "do you want a snack?" "would you like a hand to squeeze?" Everyone will need something different; one time I sat staring into the subject's eyes for most of the procedure, one time I fed them frozen grapes, one time I cooked a meal.

After Procedure

Help clean up (most important: sharps, biohazards, reusable tools). Make sure everyone eats. Make sure needs are tended to, including your own.