the body as culturally diverse artefact

2004

A workshop examining the use, abuse and misuse of the ethnic body in art and in society led by Rajni as part of the Chisenhale Dance Space Artists' Programme in April 2004, with artists Sam Lim, Persis Jade Maravala, and Colin Poole.

How are we framed (and how do we frame each other) as brownies? How am I already framed in certain situations as a black man / Asian woman etc? Is art representative of the fact that blacks, whites and brownies all use each other’s games, music, language, walk? Do I have a responsibility to be a role model to younger brownies? Should I take advantage of initiatives like decibel that label me as an artist of colour? Is this talk of race equality just an avoidance of talk about class?

The five-day workshop culminated in an installation in which audience members were invited to partake in a series of activities and conversations, opening up new ways of creating dialogue in what are often awkward subject areas.

 

still of Rajni during the body as culturally diverse artefact

 

a Chisenhale Dance Space Artists' Programme event