Paradox of Praxis 1 draft 2 (Pushing Together)

Alice Fox, Aashmina Ranjit

    Research output: Non-textual outputPerformance

    Abstract

    Performance artists Ashmina Ranjit and Alice Fox performed their new duet Paradox of Praxis 1 #2 (Pushing Together) through the streets of Kathmandu during monsoon.

    Ranjit and Fox, silently using the ‘practices of expanded listening’ (Fox, MacPherson 2016) duetted through the streets of Kathmandu City. Each performer, connected through their joint exertion, slowly, persistently pushing a large block of ice, quietly finding strength and direction from the companionship of the other.
    Both women, dressed in defiant red silk, navigated the ever diminishing ice through a time travelling route. Starting in the 14th century Durbar Square, persevering through the cracked, jagged and bumpy city landscape to the modern area of Durbar Marg.
    The performance concludes at the Parliament Buildings where we are presented with the ice finally melting to nothing.
    The performance alludes to the determined pushing through generations of women over centuries.

    The work honours and re-contextualizes Francis Alys’ performance the Paradox of Praxis 1 (Sometimes Making Something Leads To Nothing) originally performed in Mexico in1997.
    The performance asks;
    Can the process of making something that leads to nothing offer us something?
    Can journeying together through futility earn or teach us something?

    Original languageEnglish
    Media of outputFilm
    Publication statusPublished - 29 Jul 2016

    Keywords

    • performance
    • women participatory arts
    • site specific performance

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