Can art exist in a world that routinely endorses hegemony and oppressive systems? Is it possible for artists to occupy a place of relevance in the midst of contradictions that disregard human life for material profit?
Soliloquio (I Woke Up And Hit My Head Against The Wall) sheds light on the systemic oppression of Indigenous communities in Argentina via an intimate soliloquy. Performer Tiziano Cruz hails from Jujuy in Northern Argentina. Based on a series of emotional letters written by Cruz to his mother during the start of the pandemic, this monologue invokes sounds and imagery to depict the mental anguish of the artist who has resorted to commodifying his identity and cultural artifacts to earn a life under capitalism. It questions the preservation of identities, borders and centers of power. The performance holds its audience (especially those of us living in the so-called developed world) complicit in upholding a world order that exoticizes and mutilates the bodies of minorities under the guise of art and entertainment.
I have always considered art to be a powerful medium for sparking existential emotions. I entered the performance space expecting a cultural experience. By the end, I was left feeling conflicted about the nature of my hobby as an arts reviewer. The performance is anti-art at its provocative best.
Soliloquio (I Woke Up And Hit My Head Against The Wall) is playing from January 27-29 at the Roundhouse Performance Center, as part of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. Get your tickets here.
– Annapoorna Shruthi