These works I developed during the month-long performance residency ‘Absence’ at Manila Contemporary. Drawn from my observations of religious life in the Philippines during my stay, I continued the series ‘Animals have no Religion’, investigating the relationship between human beings and other living creatures. ‘Animals have no Religion’ (II and III) consists of four elaborately constructed costumes that form two pairs. By using specific objects and materials, I activate and question the human need for protection in a fragile world.
The first pair consists of two male models standing near a wall, strapped with holster vests and a shield covering their upper bodies, composed of satellite dishes, radio antennae and black coral. This black coral, or akar bahar in Indonesian, is traditionally used by Indonesian and Phillipino fishermen as bracelets to ward off evil spirits. The second pair of models wear red leather garments, with wooden feet emerging from the sleeves. The models walked around the space on all fours, like animals.