Do 26 Sept, 20:00 – Trance – Gender, by Diana Blok & Thais di Marco

Trance/ Gender

Invited by Diana Blok, Egbomi Kaloyá (Thais Di Marco) from Redandá Community - Cipó Guaçú - Brazil, will talk about gender and Candomblé as part of Gender Monologues constellation of events. Candomblé is an afro-indigenous-brazilian tradition of secret societies created in the beginning of slavery times aiming to worship nature and ancestors that insist teaching about peace and freedom. Candomblé is worldly known by holding open parties where Orishas, Inkissis, Voduns, encantados, etc. come into the body of initiated people. In this conversation we will talk about this beautiful practice of permanence of various ways or life on Earth and the range of gender explored by this non-secular tradition.

In the second part of the event, Kaloyá, as Roma diasporic descendent, fortune-teller and contemporary artist will make a performatic public session of fortune-telling through cards for the audience inspired by Alejandro Jodorovsky’s open tarot sessions.

Thais Di Marco is Roma diasporic descendent and was born in an Afro-Brazilian community of Candomblé - Brazil - where she holds the title of young Egbomi (poorly translated to "young Xaman").

Those communities integrate a huge range of African, Afro-latinas and Indigenous secret societies ruled by ancestors. Her first artistic education in contemporary art was within social projects as Art Against Barbarism - a vibrant political movement by various artists to think how art could play a central role for democracy in countries under conditions of extreme violence. They have triggered art projects, art schools and independent spaces where Thais has worked as a teacher, coordinator and mentor after being herself student. She has more than 12 years experience as a choreographer, performer and theatre director been awarded and sponsored by art fundings, programs, festivals, theaters and cultural centers to present her pieces. Through her projects Thais worked in Brazil, México, Benin, Iran, Germany and the Netherlands.

Diana Blok is a Uruguayan/Dutch visual artist based in Amsterdam since 1974. Her most recent project ‘Gender Monologues’ is an interactive media installation concerning our historical and cultural understanding of gender beyond stereotypes. Diana Blok challenges static, mental and cultural conventions by giving back the imagination to the limitations on gender and sexual identity.

This unique installation can be viewed in Nieuw Dakota ( NDSM) until October 6, 2019.

www.thaisdimarco.bom.br
www.dianablok.com