In Archive, Arkadi Zaides delves into his artistic exploration of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The artist uses images taken by volunteers in the B’Tselem Project, an initiative of the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, which since 2007 distributes video cameras among Palestinians living in high-conflict areas in order that they may document human rights violations and expose the reality of life under occupation. Zaides draws the attention of the spectators towards Israeli bodies captured by the camera and their physical reactions in various situations of confrontation. The Palestinians remain behind the camera. Their movement, voice and point of view are very present and determine the spectators’ perspective.
Although the material filmed by photographers reveals local reality, Zaides wishes to raise a more universal topic: what is the potential for violence built into each individual, and what price must be paid by the group in order to control others? Zaides draws on and appropriates gestures and voices, engaging and identifying himself with the material. The issues of participation and accountability open up as his body becomes a living archive.
Arkadi Zaides
An independent dancer and choreographer who lives and works in Tel Aviv, sees art as a vehicle to challenge and inspire viewers, and at the same time, to reach out and bring together different sectors of society. Focused on working with diverse communities, particularly the Arab sector living in Israel, Zaides’ Archive received a prize from the Emile Zola Chair for Human Rights.
Cast:
Archival material: B’Tselem Camera Project volunteers, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories: Iman Sufan, Mu’az Sufan, Bilal Tamimi, Udai’ Aqel, Awani D’ana, Bassam J ‘abri, Abu’ Ayesha, Qassem Saleh, Mustafa Elkam, Raed Abu Ermeileh, Abd al-Karim J’abri, Issa ‘Amro, Jundiyeh Ahmad Nasser Harizat, Abu Sa’ifan, Oren Yakobovich, Nayel Najar | Concept and choreography: Arkadi Zaides | Video Consultant: Effi and Amir (Effi Weiss and Amir Borenstein) | Sound art and drama voice: Tom Tlalim | Art consultant: Katerina Bakatsaki | Assistant choreography: Ofir Yudilevitch | Costumes: Adam Kalderon | Lighting: Thalie Lurault | Remote control interface: Pierre-Olivier Boulant | Director: Etienne Exbrayat | Sound Director: Etienne Exbrayat | Sound Technician: Cyril Communal | Production: Yael Bechor / Naama Golan | Thanks to Myriam Van Imschoot | Produced by: Arkadi Zaides | Co-produced by: Festival D’Avignon (FR), CDC Toulouse (FR), Theatre National de Chaillot (FR), CNDC Angers (FR) | Residences: CDC Toulouse (FR), CNDC Angers (FR), STUK Leuven (BE), Theatre National de Chaillot (FR), WP Zimmer (BE) | International distribution: Key Performance.
Premiere:
July 8, 2014, Avignon Festival.
Premiere in Spain at the Festival Escenas do Cambio.