SIDE BY SIDE
SIDE BY SIDE (23-5-2016). Concept of Performance “SIDE BY SIDE” arose during the preparation of the solo exhibition by Lawrence Chikwa in May 2016 in Lusaka, Zambia (Modzi Arts). More specifically, the performance has been inspired on Chikwa’s painting “The newly graduates”, which addresses the colonial past of Zambia.
dated 2016 until 2016
(click on an image to enlarge an artwork)
send a message to the artist
Black and White
2016Untoutched surfaces, no content to tell yet. Black and White next to each other in all their contrast.
Departure point
2016
Performance beginning.
FILM: For viewing the performance documentation film, klick on the picture and you will find the link to You Tube.If you are on that "enlarged picture page" please scroll down on this window to find the film.
Performance SIDE BY SIDE:
A man born in 'The West' and a woman born in 'Africa' presented themselves to the public and after that changed clothes. "White" in white clothes and "Black" in black clothes. The two placed themselves at their “working spaces”, each provided with different materials. White materials included maize flour, coffee creamer and body lotion. The black and brown materials where mainly charcoal and red/brown earth taken from the Lusaka area..
Changed identity
2016
Performance beginning after change of clothes:
FILM: For viewing the performance film, klick on the picture and you will find the link to You Tube.
A man born in 'The West' and a woman born in 'Africa' presented themselves to the public and changed clothes. "White" in white clothes and "Black" in black clothes. The two placed themselves at their “working spaces”, each provided with different materials. White materials included mealie meal flour, coffee creamer and body lotion. The black and brown materials where mainly charcoal and red/brown earth taken from the area.
Rinsing and prepare
2016
Performance in starting fase. The performance started with the performers washing themselves with clear water. Next, they attempted to turn themselves into “the other” color, finding out that this is quite hard, but sharing this experience but not acknowledging that to 'the other'. After trials and errors, the performers turned to canvases that hung on the walls. One black canvas and one white canvas. The black canvas was "attacked" with white materials and the white canvas with black and brown materials.
FILM: For viewing the performance film, klick on the picture and you will find the link to You Tube.
If you are on that "enlarged picture page" please scroll down on this window to find the film.
.
Transformation identity
2016
The performance started with the performers washing themselves with clear water. Next, they attempted to turn themselves into “the other” colour, finding out that this is quite hard. After trials and errors, the performers turned to canvases that hung on the walls. One black canvas and one white canvas. The black canvas was "attacked" with white materials and the white canvas with black and brown materials.
Transforming surface 01
2016
The Performance has started, the performers putted on "the other color" and now are "attacking" the other color presented on the wall.
The performance started with the performers washing themselves with clear water. Next, they attempted to turn themselves into “the other” color, finding out that this is quite hard. After trials and errors, the performers turned to canvases that hung on the walls. One black canvas and one white canvas. The black canvas was "attacked" with white materials and the white canvas with black and brown materials.
Transforming surface 02
2016
Performers are still working on the presented colors and turn them in "the other" color.
The performance started with the performers washing themselves with clear water. Next, they attempted to turn themselves into “the other” color, finding out that this is quite hard. After trials and errors, the performers turned to canvases that hung on the walls. One black canvas and one white canvas. The black canvas was "attacked" with white materials and the white canvas with black and brown materials.
.
Transforming 'the other' 01
2016
Picture when you see the performers start to react on eacht other "colored" surface.
All this time there was silence, the performers had no contact. This changed when the white canvas was turned black/brown and the black canvas was almost transformed into white. At that moment, the performers started to look at each other’s creations and to each other’s odd appearances. It didn’t stop there, as they then started to try out what happens if white materials where applied on 'black and brown' and the other way around. Mixing up the colours. This mixing continued until the performers where satisfied with the results and with each other. They then hugged, happy with the share experience, bowed to the camera and walked out of the scene together as brothers in arms, gladly and happy as they were that mixing of colours doesn’t end up in greyness.
Transforming 'the other' 02
2016
Picture when you see the performers start to react on eacht other "colored" surface.
All this time there was silence, the performers had no contact. This changed when the white canvas was turned black/brown and the black canvas was almost transformed into white. At that moment, the performers started to look at each other’s creations and to each other’s odd appearances. It didn’t stop there, as they then started to try out what happens if white materials where applied on 'black and brown' and the other way around. Mixing up the colors. This mixing continued until the performers where satisfied with the results and with each other. They then hugged, happy with the shared experience, bowed to the camera and walked out of the scene together as brothers in arms, gladly and happy as they were that mixing of colours doesn’t end up in greyness.
Transforming 'the other' 03
2016
In this performance picture you see the performance working on "the other side".
All this time there was silence, the performers had no contact. This changed when the white canvas was turned black/brown and the black canvas was almost transformed into white. At that moment, the performers started to look at each other’s creations and to each other’s odd appearances. It didn’t stop there, as they then started to try out what happens if white materials where applied on 'black and brown' and the other way around. Mixing up the colors. This mixing continued until the performers where satisfied with the results and with each other. They then hugged, happy with the shared experience, bowed to the camera and walked out of the scene together as brothers in arms, gladly and happy as they were that mixing of colours doesn’t end up in greyness.
Reconciliation
2016
Performance in the end fase, where both performers hugged and "bow to the public that it is done and over".
All this time there was silence, the performers had no contact. This changed when the white canvas was turned black/brown and the black canvas was almost transformed into white. At that moment, the performers started to look at each other’s creations and to each other’s odd appearances. It didn’t stop there, as they then started to try out what happens if white materials where applied on 'black and brown' and the other way around. Mixing up the colors. This mixing continued until the performers where satisfied with the results and with each other. They then hugged, happy with the shared experience, bowed to the camera and walked out of the scene together as brothers in arms, gladly and happy as they were that mixing of colours doesn’t end up in greyness.
Realisation
2016
End result of performance when the work was just done.
All this time there was silence, the performers had no contact. This changed when the white canvas was turned black/brown and the black canvas was almost transformed into white. At that moment, the performers started to look at each other’s creations and to each other’s odd appearances. It didn’t stop there, as they then started to try out what happens if white materials where applied on 'black and brown' and the other way around. Mixing up the colors. This mixing continued until the performers where satisfied with the results and with each other. They then hugged, happy with the shared experience, bowed to the camera and walked out of the scene together as brothers in arms, gladly and happy as they were that mixing of colours doesn’t end up in greyness.
Not a grey result.
2016The story that lead to this result is the film to be wachted.