The conversation is in relation to Jezebel by Cherish Menzo playing 8th and 9th October at Dansens Hus.
In conversation: Marta Tveit (journalist, doctorial candidate in Afrofuturism), Duduzile Mathonsi (performance artist, actress) and Maria Imma Karlsen (aka Lotus, performance artist, singer, dancer). The conversation is led by Thomas Talawa Prestø, well known political debater and artistic director of Tabanka.
Time: Saturday October 9th at 17.00.
Place: Studioscenen at Dansens Hus
Free admission.
The term body politics refers to the practices and policies through which powers of society regulate the human body, as well as the struggle over the degree of individual and social control of the body.
For woman of colour this often means having to negotiate patriarchal structures, sexism, misogyny and racism. Characteristics such as gender, colour, ethnicity, facial characteristics and bodyshape can trigger stereotypical notions on moral and ethical abilities, temper and social qualities. Respectability politics upholds the idea that the supposed worthiness of a marginalized group should be evaluated — that is, by comparing the traits and actions of the marginalized group to the values of respectability set solely by the dominant group. This influence amongst other issues the dress codes, how much and how you show skin, what bodily movements that are perceived as acceptable or too sexy, what it means to move in certain ways and if your appearance is stereotype, degrading or respectable. This is a discourse that is constantly afflicting the conversations around artist, dancers and model of colour, and Black women especially.
During the rise of MTV, music videos became more and more important. The character of Jezebel flourished on the screens, where women of colour danced seductively with and around both male and other female artists. Sometimes they sang and rapped themselves. Depending on the context these women were seen as strong, liberated and in control of their own sexuality or as the contrary; oppressed sexual objects. The intersectionality and complexity of these matters, in addition to coincidental stories suggest that both perspectives might contain some truth.
A whole industry has developed around the production of certain bodily images. Beyonce, Rihanna, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj all challenge the gaze and contribute to the discussion on whether a hyper sexualized representation of women of colour in the music industry has a liberating effect, or quite simply just service the male gaze. This discussion has been going on since before Josephine Baker, and Grace Jones is appointed the everlasting rebel, who created a whole career on challenge and self-definition.
In this the perilous landscape Cheris Menzo places herself and the performance in a physical discourse. We invite you to a panel conversation about these topics with reference to the performance.