It might confuse people what art really is but breathing, yes, breathing is one form of art especially if explained and demonstrated clearly.
Take it from visiting Danish artist Sophie Dupont, who expressed her sense of joy and sublime feelings by just using her body to articulate her art.
Dupont exhibited her prowess in the show called “In Situ, Performance as Exhibition” right in the middle of the Maria Makiling Theater at the National Arts Center complex, specifically the Pugad Adarna, on top of Mount Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna Tuesday morning.
Armed with only a copper plate, Sophie was able to transport and transform the viewers and listeners to a world beyond the palpable reality.
In “Marking Breath,” Dupont showed her meditation as an art.
Yes, Sophie was seated inside the theater, unbelievably from sunrise to sunset to exhibit her breathing to achieve peace and harmony.
She was humming and scratching the copper sheet in the among the throng of students of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) who were also humming and scratching copper plates with her.
According to Dennis Marasigan, Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Sophie got up as early as 5:30 AM to start her art.
“…Sophie Dupont marked her breath by scratching lines into a copper plate, creating an abstract score through this subtle, meditative art. This nearly imperceptible performance emphasized the importance of presence, transforming the simple art of breathing into a profound spiritual reflection…,” professed the CCP Corporate Communications Division.
“In a world where we collectively ‘hold our breath’ in anticipation of change, this gesture called for unity in a moment of reflection, celebration, and life through art,” added the press briefs.
Marasigan said that people don’t have to argue about performance art being relevant or not or could it bring us food to eat because it is simply life itself.
“It is there like watching a religious procession,” Dennis elucidated.
He said, performance art is part of what we do every moment of our lives.
On October 17, 2024, Sophie will again regale her audiences for free with her new performance work, “Breathing Beings” at the CCP ASEAN Park at 4-6 PM.
Photo Caption: Sophie Dupont with the students of the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makling, Los Banos, Laguna (Photo Credit: Boy Villasanta)
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