RADHARANI PERNARČIČ: PAVILION OF EMBRACES
Dance performance intertwined with visual exhibition

Cirkulacija2, podhod Ajdovščina, Ljubljana
13. 10. at 19:30 – premiere performance (which partially introduces the exhibition)
16.10 at 19:30. – 2nd repetition of the performance

Kulturni Inkubator, Koroška c. 18, Maribor
3.11. at 18.00 – exhibition opening and performative execution of somatic-attentional practices (from 16.00 to 18.00)
7.11. from 15.00 to 16.00 – performative execution of somatic-attentional practices
                                         and closing discussion at 16.00;
(Visitors are invited to join in the practices during the exhibition and experience them for themselves, chat with the authors, and/or take a leisurely stroll through the exhibition).

Radharani Pernarčič, with her two-year project Pavilion of Embraces, spins a thread of dreams and initiatives to weave a different fabric of humanity together with her fellow human beings. A fabric of a more-than-human world. In parallel to her initiative, there come numerous manifestations of usurpation, disruption, manipulation, abuse of “spirituality” or simply bluff. Everyone pulls just for themselves and over each other, no one hears anyone: numbness. Relationships are becoming increasingly rough and less and less solid. The author senses the necessity for a collective ritual of healing sociality (relationships). Since, obviously, relationships themselves can also become ill.

In a series of somatic-attentional practices, in which she engages a multitude of participants from Slovenia, Canada, and Finland, she decides on an extremely direct path. She communicates (and invites others to communicate) with matter, natural materials: clay, plant and animal fibers, water, wood, which she understands as informed and therefore alive. She focuses on what has been lost: sense, patience, presence, respect, and, last but not least, community. With embodied intentionality, she practices a kind of archaeology of a utopian future. For matter remembers everything we put into it and gives us the much-needed sense of connection with, and attitude to other beings. Above all, to Mother Earth.

In weaving ties with Indigenous peoples, she simultaneously fights through the shadows of flattened Western ideology (cosmology), inscribed in a syndrome of superiority and self-sufficiency. Therefore, she does not only shed light on history, but on their ontological reality. In doing so, she moves away from representative art towards its transformative role. She invites us to collectively restore transhuman sociality. The oscillations between familiar and unknown worlds evoke wondering. It calls us to revive our own indigenous, pagan mind, which made us understand that the world is multidimensional and interconnected. And to revive knowledge and consciousness that come from contact with the Earth. … The dance performance, intertwined with a visual exhibition, reveals the contribution of the multitude of participants and thus the power of collaboration.

* The performance and exhibition are dedicated to Mother Earth and all peoples who have suffered and continue to suffer colonisation, genocides, wars, or any other form of violence.

Concept of the project and production: Radharani Pernarčič (AniRadar)
Choreography: Radharani Pernarčič
(Co)creation of the material and performing: Jana Jevtović, Radharani Pernarčič, Jasmina Založnik
Video mapping and visualisations: Urša Čuk
Music and sound: Januš Aleš Luznar (alias Yanoosh)
Texts and vocal: Radharani Pernarčič
Translations (Eng-Si, Si-Eng): Boža Krajcer, Radharani Pernarčič
Performed videos:
  performers: Moa Cederberg, Majda Begoli, Tina Janežič, Tomaž Lapajne-Dekleva, Radharani Pernarčič, Lucija Tratnik
  camera: Radharani Pernarčič, Jukka Rajala, Primož Trček; Tanja Likeb (zračni posnetki)
  editing: Radharani Pernarčič
Costumes, props & design: Radharani Pernarčič
Concept, design and creation of the spatial sculture and bigger clay objects: Radharani Pernarčič
Technical support, co-creation and conceptual dialogue for the exhibition and scenography: Primož Trček, Bogomir Zdešar
Authors of smalle clay sculptures, clay imprints, and weaved »feathers«: participants from Slovenia, Finland, Turtle island/Canada (entire list with names will be present at the exhibition)
Participants in specially organized attention practiced (ceremonies): Ana Čavić, Albert Dumont, Jana Jevtović, Aleksander Ostan, Andraž Polič, Primož Trček, Jasmina Založnik; (over Zoom) Stuart Myiow, Edith Mora Castelan (& the Longhouse), Emilia Väänänen, Pia Paasiima, Emilia Pöyry
Coproduction: Cirkulacija2 and Kulturni Inkubator, MKC Maribor
Special thanks: Alen Ožbolt, Maja, Smrekar, Tejka Pezdirc & ALUO; Ana Kravanja, Aleksander Ostan; Jussi Alaraasakka, John Colingswood, Meri Lina, Tanja Råman, Emilia Väänänen; Gordana in Mitch Jevtović,Yves Sherif, Mae-G ; Albert in Kyrstin Dumont, Stuart Myiow, Edith Mora Castelan; Tania Bernard, Nicole O’Bomsawin, Neetcha in Alex Dupuis

The project is financially supported by

The Ministry of Culture of The Republic of Slovenia

City of Ljubljana

Culture Moves Europe Mobility fund – European Union, Goethe Institute

(This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.)

The programs of the Maribor Youth Cultural Center are financially supported by the City Municipality of Maribor and the Ministry of Education and Science – Office for Youth.