Under the title Sunken Works, Ghaliah Conroy is working on a series of works around the theme of the Human Zoo, the ‘exotic’ exhibitions that took place in Europe well into the 20th century, where people of colour were displayed behind a fence for public viewing. What effect does this history have on black women today?
After the dance film Sunken Works / DON’T BITE (a co-production between DansBrabant and the Nederlandse Dansdagen), Ghaliah takes an even deeper look at the theme of ‘looking and being looked at’. How do you relate to a gaze that reduces you to a stereotype? And how do you reclaim your autonomy?
Sunken Works / who makes the rules? is an intimate live duet between a camera and a black body – at the same time, a game between audience and performer. Who watches whom, who decides, who follows… Anger, incapacity and affection seem to stand side by side. Sunken Works / who makes the rules? is at times uncomfortable, at all times thought-provoking and personal.
