Loneliness

Concept:

The chair, an omnipresent symbol throughout the piece, embodies the duality of companionship and isolation. As the video progresses, the artist engages in a dialogue with the chair, enacting a relationship that oscillates between longing and resignation. The poem "Cadeira Vazia," recited in its original Portuguese, overlays the visual narrative, its rhythmic cadence echoing the ebb and flow of the artist's movements. The chair mirrors the artist's internal void, creating a visual and auditory symphony of solitude and silent conversation.

Artistic Process:

The video employs a minimalistic set design and subdued lighting to accentuate the themes of isolation and emptiness. The performance is punctuated by stillness and subtle, deliberate movements, mirroring the slow passage of time experienced during isolation. Throughout the performance, the image of the empty chair is amplified and projected onto the performer, creating a dreamlike experience for the viewers. This projection blurs the boundaries between the performer and the chair, crafting an illusion where the character and the chair merge into one. The recitation of "Cadeira Vazia" in Portuguese, interwoven with original music enhances the immersive experience. To avoid distracting the viewer from the visual and emotional depth of the work, subtitles for the poem are not included. Additionally, an English narrative describing the feelings of loneliness accompanies the piece, creating a bilingual and foreign experience. This interplay between sound and visual elements creates an evocative atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the artist's introspective journey.

Themes:

1. Loneliness and Social Isolation: The piece captures the essence of lockdown-induced solitude, reflecting on how physical separation exacerbates feelings of abandonment. Yet, it also explores the paradox of loneliness — a sentiment that persists even in the presence of others, underscoring the internal nature of this emotional state.

2. Impossible Relationships: The artist's interaction with the chair represents an unattainable relationship. This relationship, though impossible, feels tangible, encapsulating the confusion and resignation inherent in such an emotional entanglement.

3. Existential Emptiness: The chair's void signifies life's inherent emptiness, a recurring motif throughout the performance. The artist's physical and emotional engagement with this emptiness evokes a sense of existential contemplation, questioning the essence of being and connection.

Conclusion:

Loneliness is a contemplative exploration of the human condition, offering a raw and intimate portrayal of loneliness and existential angst. By personifying an empty chair, the piece invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences of isolation and the elusive nature of connection and existence. The performance's deliberate pacing encourages a meditative viewing experience, immersing the audience in the thematic resonance of loneliness and introspection.

Credits:

Idealization and Performance: Valeria DeCastro

Videography: Eric White

Poem: Cadeira Vazia by Edna Gomes

Original Music: The Sitar Outreach Ministry

Narration: Luna DeCastro

Editing: Valeria DeCastro & Eric White