THE HORROR OR INTIMACY: AN ORIGINAL MINI SERIES
Concept & Performance: Caroline Alexander, Ivan Ekemark, Layton Lachman
In Collaboration with:
Textiles: Jack Randol
Live Sound Design: Fjóla Gautadóttir
Composition: Samuel Hertz
Costumes: Ivan Ekemark
Lighting Design and Projection: Imogen Heath
Live Camera/Editing/Photography: Ethan Folk
Video Documentation: Noam Gorbat
Premiered at A.PART Festival, Ada Studios Berlin, DE
The series of works titled THE HORROR OF INTIMACY examines psychology and relationships via rapid-fire perceptual disorientation and manipulation. Picture this...a constant flipping of the image, a turning inside-out, a capturing of all that is ugly or scary because it is no less valuable than all that is beautiful and tender.
THE HORROR OF INTIMACY takes a psychological deep dive into narcissism, complete emotionally unavailable, and extreme co-dependence. We address obsession, denial, as well as feelings of significance gained through fixing and fixation on others. We developed this series of works through references to psychoanalysis, encounter groups, Family Constellation and other pop-therapies. Aesthetically, much of our collaborative work aligns with the frenetic, chaotic, complexity of video and interdisciplinary artists such as Reza Abdoh and Ryan Trecartin. The work is also influenced by the suspense, surprise and gore of American horror films, but twisted by reality TV. We wish to create visceral situations—dense toxic textures, complex scenic and sonic environments, and palpable physical tensions—creating feelings of deep uncertainty, as everything is caught on camera. Our corporeal approach is offering an emotional and physical trip that is constantly shifting.
We developed the work through research into physical overstimulation, as well as attempting the performance of many tasks at once. Bringing in knowledge from tantra, energetics, backup dancing, kundalini, military workouts, and other extreme energetic and physical practices. The choreography contains (or is unable to contain) a continuous rupturing of the relational networks built between the performers.