Linda Lamignan | Words From Our Bodies, Like Stones From The Earth

About

Centrum is excited to present Words From Our Bodies, Like Stones From The Earth, an audio visual performance by Linda Lamignan, as part of Vorspiel program of the CTM and transmediale festivals 2022.

Through music, words, video and objects, the performance explores the notions of In-betweenness, Belonging, and Borders. Linda Lamignan uses beats and rhythms as tools for bringing the viewers on a journey. Singing becomes a way of storytelling.

Channeling ancient memories and imagining alternative futures, the words and stories that are being told draw inspiration from Gloria Anzaldua's book “Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza”. In this book, Anzaldua challenges the ideas around diaspora, race and identity, addressing the invisible boundaries that exist between different cultures, genders and sexualities. Anzaldua uses “Borderlands” as a term to identify a growing population that cannot distinguish between these invisible borders, and instead has learned to become part of both worlds. Another strong theoretical influence for this performance can be found in David Abram's book "Becoming Animal" which explores the relationship between humans and the other species with whom we share the planet, opening up new ways of understanding our own place in the world.

Several objects that are used in the performance are linked to the commodities from the industry of Norway and Nigeria and function as objects of divination, dramatics and desire. Lamignan’s interest lies in the link between the exploitation of nature and racism. Connecting the dots between the western extraction of West African natural resources and the history of colonialism, they relate the history of the industrial materials to the history of brown bodies.

Weaving projections and lights in, Lamgnan fills the space with fragments of memory, emotion and imagination. Altering surfaces with colored light and perceived depth, becomes a way to transform the room, and in turn transform ourselves.

PLEASE NOTE: The entrance to the event is free. You will be asked to present proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and a negative test result (2G+). The space has limited capacity, please arrive early in order to secure a spot.

Linda Lamignan is a visual and performance artist. Their works convey the sensation of being alien and of floating between dissimilar worlds. Through video, music, objects and performance, Lamignan explores notions related to wandering and diaspora, transformation and love. Taking an animistic approach, they are working with materials that are associated with industries in West Africa and Scandinavia. And by conjoining the history of these materials/raw articles to bodies with comparable experiences, Lamignan seeks to visualize new alternative frames of mind. Lamignan received their MFA degree at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen in 2019 and their BFA degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in Oslo.