Smitha Cariappa

India / India

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Descripción                                                                  Statement

I like to read, observe, absorb and apply influence of literature in my performance.
I practice Performance art in the Visual arts.
I use written text in my words and not the spoken word.
The text is further brought forward by using objects that convey metaphorically. For example use of green cabbage-- the ironical refraction of the French term of endearment ‘petit chou” little cabbage. Approximately, translates to “my dear”-taking literally and crowning my head with cabbage leaves.
The painterly / sculptural elements are absorbed and conveyed through my body in stillness and silence- my body becomes “a sculptural mode of communication”.
For example, through written instructions the audience, are requested to flour me by sieving the flour. In the process I am in stillness covered with flour and looking like a living sculpture. The performance has gone through various improvisations (since 2003 to 2010) and the duration of the performance has varied between different spaces .( I have done between 30 minutes to 4 hours,in different postures and used it in different context in different clothes)Image# 95 performed in Delhi 2006. Improvised in 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Using, live- projections of my hand gestures performing objects I convey through the live performance that I “perform the object”.
Using certain kind of objects and material I convey the resistance of the character.
For example - Question of identity was conveyed by mixing 2 different kinds of colored dough in the process bringing forward the dominance through the proportions of colored dough.
With “The objects” I perform I intend to bring forward the features of the character in a narrative way.
(I have mentioned a few examples, above.) I  handle objects in my performance and highlight  through live- projections .In the process it gets highlighted and more drama and theatricality is adopted yet pronouncing the Visual language, and bringing the quality of  visual art primarily in my performance.
Photographs,of the Irish author -James Joyce in Zurich, with the River Limmat in the background is very popular. He spent in Zurich between -1941 to 1946. Not far from the river is the James Joyce Foundation located on Augustinerstrasse in Zurich’s Alstadtt . This is a pretty passage off Zurich’s main shopping street Bahnhafstrasse.
The foundation celebrated 25 years in 2010.
The book Finnigans wake, by James Joyce is significant and in
Particular the female character called Anna Livia Plurabella (ALP) ALP is interwoven with 1000s of River names from all over the globe and is widely considered the most celebrated passage.
In 1924, Joyce described the chapter as “a chattering dialogue across the River by two washerwomen who as nightfall’s becomes a tree and stone.”
I am inspired, by Anna Livia and the two washerwomen from Finnigans wake - Chapter 1.8.my installation and performance will focus in this section.
My performance would present the alter ego of ALP the objects / material I will use will perform the character.
The installation will be interactive. The interaction of the audience through written instruction will complete the work. The two washerwomen will take form as tree and stone in my installation.

Reasons for focusing on this Irish author James Joyce
It is exciting to note, a foundation dedicated to the Irish author, the James Joyce Foundation in the center of Zurich and its popularity even today. Further, with the reference—“Yssel that the Limmat.”
in Finnigans wake Anna Livia  Plurabella (ALP) as the river-woman implied in the “riverrun” Chapter1.8.
VENUE / SPOT
As stated earlier the popular image of Joyce, standing with the background of the confluence of the two Rivers Limmat and Sihl was his favorite spot.
I would like to do the Performance in this spot. Duration 30 min. I want a ‘textual zed situation’ in situation ,‘constructed situation (re)contextualized conceptually.’
Optional - create an installation leading to this point from the main streets by creating small colored paper / cloth flags with text from the chap.1.8. The flags will end near the tree and stone installation.
In, James Joyce, “Finnigans wake”, the female character ALP will be the character, the alter ego. I intend to perform the alter ego, in narrative features by, “Performing the object”. The mundane objects significantly associated by tourists to Zurich will be used. 
I use the objects to perform in the process the objects perform.

I intend to bring forward in an interactive installation the 2 washerwoman in tree and stone.

Given, this opportunity I will be very grateful and work to the best of my ability and knowledge.