“What is the significance of the number 40?,” asks Swany. “In
Western ideology it is closely linked to Christianity and its beliefs. In
Christian scriptures Christ is driven into the desert wilderness by the Holy
Spirit where he is tempted three times by the Devil while he fasts for the
period of 40 days and 40 nights. The number appears numerous times in both the
Old and New Testaments and has come to symbolize a period of testing, trial or
probation. In addition, forty years is considered to be a generation. For the
men of my generation forty days was the ritually celebrated day of the
commencement of our final 40 days as conscripts in the South African Defence
Force.
“These various readings of the number 40 inform this
performance piece. I am at present busy with my Masters in Visual Arts for
which I am researching white South African masculinities, specifically those of
my generation. This performance is a practical realization of some of that
research. In 40RTY I will interrogate
masculinity and our perceptions of it utilising a performance within an
installation and within a gallery space. To prepare myself I will fast for 40
days and 40 nights prior to the performance. The work will be documented by
both photographer and videographer and viewers are welcome to do the same.”
4ORTY – masculinity as
a performance takes place on October 29 at 18h30 for 19h00 at artSPACE
durban is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste
Centre. More information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com
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