Hi All,

So Week Three into the Current Issues Module, I must admit so far so good with the information being given. I was not aware of issue that is Interdisciplinary and Sociopolitical Engagement in the theatre. Maybe I am completely oblivious when it comes to this sort of issue or that it has never really come up into conversation until very recently.

In the seminar lesson we were introduced to South African artist Brett Bailey. Taking a closer look at his piece from 2014 –  ‘The Golden Age’  The piece of work that was shown to us was Exhibit B.

 

Exhibit B replicates the ‘human zoos’ and ethnographic displays that showed Africans as objects of scientific curiosity through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Twelve tableaux feature motionless performers placed in settings drawn from real life. Collectively they confront colonial atrocities committed in Africa, European notions of racial supremacy and the plight of immigrants today. (2014)

EXHIBIT B – photo by Sofie Knijff

‘The Golden Age’ – photo by Sofie Knijff

There was a question brought up in the lesson asking whether, in replicating these racist exhibitions, is Bailey repeating also the racism? I don’t think he is (personally). In my opinion he is showing how people were treated in South Africa because of race ans skin colour. I feel he is exposing the harsh truths that many like people deem does not happen in society. Which come to think of it still happens within theatre.

Why I hear you ask?

Take for example: A white actor. The white actor can play any sort of character despite the issue of race. Yet an ethnic coloured actor can not play a white character in a play or television programme, if they did it would some sort of uproar with the audience / viewers. What I don’t understand is how a white actor could possibly play a coloured character. Without the knowledge or experience you could not relate to a character’s struggles if they are facing racial comments (especially if you never had these comments made).

This post has been a hard one to get my head around – however it has got me thinking about the presentation performance we have to do as part of the module. That being the issue of race and religion? Hmmm watch this space….

Till next week.

Bye x

Works Cited;

Bailey, B. (2014) EXHIBIT B.

Knijff, S. (2014) EXHIBIT B [online]. Available from http://www.afridiziak.com/theatrenews/whatson/september2014/third-world-bunfigh-brett-bailey-exhibit-b.html [Accessed 17 October 2016].