‘choreography - Judith Sanchez Ruiz with Moya Michael’

Visual artist Ana Mendieta (1948-1985) was one of Cuba’s most influential artists. In her work she explored the parallels between the body and nature in order to broach subjects as gender, identity and death. The frequent use of blood in her work served as an indictment of the oppression of women. In collaboration with performer Moya Michael and musician Oreste Noda, director Judith Sánchez Ruíz/JSR Company found inspiration for this homage to Mendieta in the performance “Squat, Bend, Kneel and Die”. Issues such as race, culture and faith, themes that are close to Mendieta’s heart, are touched upon in this experimental choreography which also contains a healthy serving of symbolism.