Philippine E-Journals

I S O L A T I O N #performanceArt

Nicolas Aca, Jr

 

Abstract:

This performance was held on March 20, 2020 in Cagayan de Oro City, southern Philippines. This performance was captured in a 2-minute video. It was part of a global online performance initiated by a group of international performance artists. All of us artists in that global performance rendered a unique performance on how we see responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were made in each of our countries. This performance appeared on August 17, 2020 on “Online Performance Art Festival” together with 15 artists from all over the globe. I used the Iponan River as site for my performance. I chose this river because it is associated with numerous other bodies of waters that flow to various sections of the city. The movement, the flow for me symbolizes connection despite the disparate boundedness that was created by the Stay at Home policy and the involvement in whatever form and means exerted by every Filipino to take part in the fight against COVID-19. I brought an artwork to the river. This artwork is shaped like the Corona virus and it was there to represent the havoc that it has caused and continuously brings the world. The red paint that is splattered all over the artwork symbolizes the fast speed which the virus has spread and infected people. Holding on to this artwork with both hands, I submerged myself under the water, an action that represents the millions of dead bodies hurriedly cremated and buried, lacking the traditional rites that should have been given before burial. Towards the end of the performance, the artwork was submerged, too, under water to represent hope that even this pandemic cannot destroy the indomitable human spirit to live.