The MP3 experiment (#mp39) is a public participatory event created by Improv Everywhere. Consider it part scavenger hunt, part flash mob. Everyone downloads an original MP3, then meets at a specific location and acts casual until it’s time to push play followed by 45 minutes of syncronized, hilarious antics that leave unsuspecting visitors simultaneously confused and entertained.
The experiment has taken place in New York City every July 15 for nine years, each with a different time, location and set of instructions.
Past tasks include lightsaber battles, mummy dance parties and balloon fights.
Along with thousands of others, I traveled by ferry to Governers Island Sunday afternoon.
Participants were given no details, other than to start the MP3 (delivered through Improv Everywhere’s synchronized app) at exactly 3:00 p.m. EST, even if we were not yet on the island. Due to the high volume of people and limited mode of transportation, many had to start the MP3 on the ferry.
According to Improv Everywhere’s founder Charlie Todd, around 300 more people missed the last ferry and instead participated in Battery Park on their own.
Though unclear why, participants were asked to equip themselves with the following supplies: a white sheet, water gun, shower cap, small stuffed animal, hard flat object and small noisemaker of some sort.
Finally we were advised to place all valuables, mobile devices included, stored in a safe, dry place. Phones and cryptic water advisories what could possibly go wrong?
Despite a hot and drizzly afternoon, two teams separated by date of birth pressed play and listened to a combination of narrative from “Steve” and original music, composed by electronic musician Tyler Walker.
This year’s theme was “Governors Island Olympics,” though you’ll see none of these sporting events during the London games.
We obliged without hesitation to instructions, like dropping to the ground. But that was just a warm-up the tasks got stranger, yet none of us gave second thought as we walked aimlessly with white sheets over our heads like ghosts.
As instructed, we quickly flung off the sheets and then ran to the parade grounds with victory capes, the same sheets, only draped over the shoulders.
Groups of four to eight then worked together to use the sheets as canopies and trampolines to hurl stuffed animals into the air.
The activities led to the “water gun finale,” an epic water gun battle during which participants used noisemakers before marching to meet the opposite team all while sporting shower caps.
The twist? Three-hundred random participants, myself included, were instructed that we were the chosen “secret sleeper agents.” The interruption forewarned a sabotage during the water gun finale a prank within a prank. Instead of aiming for the other team, we were to shoot our own side at the last second. The result was hilarious chaos.
An older woman unaware of the experiment laughed later when I let her in on the joke. Though she claimed to be completely surprised, it was quite obvious to me who was in on the stunt and who wasn’t, mainly by the visible water guns.
At the same time, the number of people wearing headphones would’ve never seemed out of the ordinary. Most of us survive in our own little plugged-in worlds at work, during commutes and simply walking around.
Even with headphones, the experiment required a group effort. Even when participants weren’t communicating directly, the crowd acknowledged that we were all in on the joke. It requires an unconventional language, instilling an odd form of community much like the ones found online.
