The murder of George Floyd in 2020 became a catalyst for widespread Black Lives Matter protests, the impact of this injustice continues in conversations today as artists, poets and performers have carried the movement into their own practice as a way to advocate for change and most importantly as a tool to inform/educate. During this time many responded in the form of social media, although it cannot be denied social media helped gain mass attention to the Black lives matter movement, it can be argued it became a space for performative actions. For example, the #BlackoutTuesday trend encouraged people to post a black square on social media to show ‘solidarity’, however, not only did it drown out important awareness posts under the #blacklivesmatter hashtag, but it also muted conversations on how non-black people should be using their privilege proactively for change (Hassan, 2021).
In contrast, a powerful response to the murder of George Floyd (and countless other black lives wrongfully taken) can be seen in the form of protest art. In particular, Anthony and Kel Matsena’s performance piece Shades of blue, where ‘performance and protest clash, flirt and mould’ (Matsena productions, 2022). The communication of a heavy topic like racial injustice through dance is compelling and seems fitting as the physical body is a tool for interference, ‘capable of both persuasion and obstinate recalcitrance’ (Foster, 2003). One of the most thought-provoking moments in the performance portrays a black dancer (Anthony) face down on the ground, a white dancer performing the role of a police officer – by gripping an imaginary police vest– stalks Anthony who has fallen to the ground and stands on his back. The remaining dancers form a circle around them watching the scene unfold before them. Consecutively, Anthony tries to move with the heaviness by slowly trying to stand up and, in the last push, he screams and raises his fist – awakening the idle dancers. This scene communicates the oppression of black people institutionally and is ‘loaded with 400 years of history’ (BBC, 2022) as the physical weight on Anthony’s back – making him unable to stand is a visual representation of oppression and racism. Moreover, the final scream – mirroring a last breath of life – echoes across the hall awakening the other dancers back to reality. This reflects the world’s reaction to the injustices against black lives, where simply ‘reacting’ to another Black life wrongfully taken is not enough – instead, actively advocating for justice within our daily lives is important – not only when it is too late.
Shades of blue perfectly encapsulates protest art by holding up a mirror to society as the whole purpose is to educate and leave a mark in the minds of the audience viewing the art -encouraging the ideas expressed in the show to be carried into their daily lives. The impact of this performance piece has filtered into my own practice as I have choreographed, directed and filmed a duet performance piece depicting the two sides in a mixed raced identity shown through a white and South Asian dancer. The routine is filled with tension, synchronization and similar to Shades of blue, the dancers tell a story of struggle through their bodies.
Bibliography:
BBC, 2022. Brothers in dance: Anthony and Kel Matsena. Available at: <https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016smb/brothers-in-dance-anthony-and-kel-matsena> [Accessed 23 May 2022].
Foster, S., 2003. Choreographies of Protest. Theatre Journal, 55(3), pp.395-412.
Al Jazeera, 2020. Black Lives Matter dance: Protest performances spring up. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeE5uUk_5_g> [Accessed 31 May 2022].
Matsenaproductions.com. 2022. SHADES OF BLUE. [online] Available at: <https://www.matsenaproductions.com/shadesofblue> [Accessed 31 May 2022].
Hassan, N., 2021. Black Lives Matter and the Problem of Performative Activism. [online] Medium. Available at: <https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/black-lives-matter-and-the-problem-of-performative-activism-667e2c402e97> [Accessed 31 May 2022].
Prickett, S., 2013. Embodied Politics: Dance, Protest and Identities: Dancing Protest and Identities. Dance Books Ltd.
Eddo-Lodge, R., 2017. Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race. London: Bloomsbury.
Amina Pagliari 
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