Incarnation

Incarnation explores the identity of Yemonja, a Goddess of the Yoruba people of West Africa, who was syncretised into Christian Latin-American culture as a result of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Within Afro-Latin communities, Yemonja is conceptualized in multiple forms, most commonly as a mermaid. Christian colonial forces in the Americas humanized Yemonja in the form of a black Madonna. The two interpretations of the same deity exemplify the adaptation of idols across cultures and the contrasting and sometimes conflicting ideals of these cultures. In this film Yemonja is presented as a figurative character adorned with Afro-Latin symbolism, while the Madonna is illuminated in her humanized form. The choreography embodies Yemonja’s struggle to reconcile her multiple identities and is mirrored by the competing sounds and visuals.

CREDITS:
Direction and Videography: Melanie Flanagan
Choreo and Performance: Salomé Egas
Body Art: Nessa Bryce
Music: Bijan Esnaashari & Sean Petell
Production Assistant: Mallika Kavadi

SCREENINGS:
NYU Gallatin Arts Fest (2017), Nasty Women Unite Festival (2017), Latino Film Market (2017), Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema (2017), Lady Filmmakers Film Festival (2017), Divulge Dancers' Film Festival (2017).

Zurciendo Retazos

"Zurciendo Retazos" (Darning pieces) is an experimental film piece that was born from my quarantine experiments of dying fabric with natural colorants I found in my kitchen. ​ As I saw the fabric absorb the dye, I realized that a little variation in heat, amount of dye, mordant type, sunlight, and even drying times can completely alter the final coloration of a piece. I realized then, that just as these pieces of fabric, humans, we have this incredible ability to constantly adapt to different mediums and transform depending on the environment we are being immersed into. As a metaphor to the different life experiences that have shaped me into a survivor and a thriver (even when exposed to the worst conditions),  this piece documents how I dye all these “retazos” and eventually I darn them together into a human-sized mask. This mask is a beautiful combination of all the little pieces of my life, each reacting to its particular environment, but coming together to arm me of valuable knowledge to keep me safe and moving through new life conditions.

CREDITS:
Direction and Videography: Salomé Egas
Performance and Textiles: Salomé Egas

SCREENINGS:
Exponential Festival Online (2021)

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