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and you say you never met the devil?
and you say you never met the devil? is a 15 minute performance video in three parts which reflects on themes of creation, destruction and recreation within the oppressive, patriarchal, colonial, capitalist systems we endure.
Movement, light and sound are utilised for their ephemeral nature as representations of a struggle for survival in a world that constantly, consciously attempts to erase us.
The setting is minimal and abstract. A non-space. A vessel for any narrative to play out. A space that floats in our imagination. Shot in a studio against both white and black backdrops - emphasising the essentiality of the body in defining and navigating space - there are no props in the classic sense. In this world the individual is responsible and dependent for only herself.
During the 15 minute video we travel through scenes which are indicated by a change of hue (blue - red - green). Within each scene there is a flicker between dark and light. A flicker between motion and inaction.
The three scenes tap into and explore separate states / emotions, which are linked to natural environments representative of Josh’s native Dominica yet globally recognisable: Scene 1: Decent (Sea), Scene 2: Tumult (Volcano), Scene 3: Appraise (Jungle). These are explored through dance, movement, poses and posturing and accompanied by spoken word poetry and an experimental soundscape, developed as a representation of and abstraction from the themes and contexts running through the three scenes.
Each scene was filmed by a different videographer (Bernice Mulenga, Siniša, Ramzia Jawara) in order to capture different essence and perceptions.
Photography by Zhuo Chen
Videography by Bernice Mulenga, Siniša, Ramzia Jawara
Sound mentor: Felicia Chen (Dis Fig)