the bomb: project mousewalk
This project, a performance created in collaboration with theatre maker Femke Verneij, engages deeply with feminist theory by exploring themes of vulnerability, mortality, and societal constructs of violence and identity. Inspired by the figure of the suicide bomber, the performance subverts traditional narratives surrounding this image, highlighting the intersection of power, gender, and public perception. Set under a bridge with the relentless rhythm of a metro overhead, the setting underscored the omnipresence of societal systems and the precarious nature of human existence. Yelena and Femke embodied this charged figure from opposite vantage points: Yelena approached from a distance, a controlled and deliberate presence, while Femke emerged from within the audience, hidden in a large travel bag. This dichotomy disrupted conventional audience dynamics, creating an intimate yet unsettling interaction that blurred lines between performer and spectator. The act of Femke confronting Yelena to metaphorically "detonate" an explosion challenged notions of agency and control, evoking feminist critiques of how bodies, particularly female bodies, are politicized and weaponized in public and private spaces. By framing the performance around mortality and vulnerability, the artists exposed the fragility of human connections and the structures that divide and define us. The imagery of clothing changes, concealment, and revelation underscored transformations and resistance, resonating with feminist ideas of reclaiming narratives and dismantling oppressive paradigms. This poignant performance used confrontation and collaboration to provoke a visceral awareness of shared humanity, ultimately asserting that vulnerability, often seen as weakness, can be a site of profound strength and solidarity.
