Sibilants

Performed on September 5th, 2020
for Touchless Touch at The Hive Art Community, NYC
Curated by Kathie Halfin
Live sound by Jason Bauer
Featuring Sibilants sculptures

“Romina Gonzales’ work “Sibilants” opened up multiple temporalities of existence and self care in times of crisis and pandemic. Romina performed with her virtual double that had extraordinary haunting presence and yoga tools made out of sulfur.

At times physical and virtual bodies united, talked, raised political, spiritual and existential conversations and at times they split apart. Artist performed labor intensive yoga activity with sulfur tools that gradually intensified and turned into a trance like state. The intensification resolved in reassurance of a physical potential and achieved a new grounded state.

Sulfur has a special meaning for Romina. Her grandmother told to a young Romina that the sulfur would make a light crackling sound, which meant that it was absorbing her “bad” energy”, “wind” or “cold”. When she held it for first time as a child, it instantly broke in her hand. Te dio aire — “you received air”, “air was given to you” or “air entered you”— is a common saying in Peru associated to this phenomenon.”

Text by Kathie Halfin

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Still images of Sibilants performance | September 5th, 2020