Action 1 - gaze

“Action 1 – Gaze” is a performance art piece that challenges perceptions of colonization and decolonization in everyday spaces. The performer, adorned with a mirror bearing the phrase “Decolonize Your Gaze,” embarks on a transformative journey from their home to a gallery space. Upon arriving at the gallery, they remove the mirror and delicately unravels a red thread from their mouth. Walking barefoot, they leave behind a trail of soil, symbolizing a connection to the earth and ancestral roots.

With purposeful intent, they pin the thread to a wall displaying a live stream of her journey, inviting viewers to reflect on the question: “Have you ever been the only person of your own color or ethnicity in a large group or gathering?”

The performance transcends traditional gallery settings, taking the dialogue of colonization and decolonization to the streets of Stockholm. By confronting passersby with the mirror’s reflective message and the evocative imagery of the red thread, the artist prompts contemplation on privilege, identity, and the enduring legacy of colonization in a predominantly white and privileged society.

“Action 1 – Gaze” serves as a powerful catalyst for introspection, challenging viewers to confront their own complicity in systems of oppression and to actively engage in the process of decolonization, both individually and collectively.

Images: Guilherme Belotti