The Kill a Cat Show series examine the aesthetic and emotional relationships between the hyper-aestheticized females we see in popular culture and the darker results of sexual objectification. How do the almost alchemical processes between emoting, movement, clothes, light and sound create “sexiness”, and the impression of beauty and glamour? What happens in the collision between an artificial language of “sexy” and a multifaceted human being? In what ways can beauty be empowering and when does it erode self-expression and connections between people?
The work explore and embody the unholy alliance between sexuality, power and money that can turn a person into a commodity. At the same time not all “sexiness” is artificial. We want the audience to witness and feel what you might call an authentic expression of enticement, sensuality and pleasure. The work challenges the audience member´s act of looking and it questions when the act of looking is empathic communication and when it moves towards a mode of consumption.
The starting point for Wingate is a contradiction in herself. On the one hand, she feels a heart-breaking disgust when she sees women who are portrayed and used as sex objects in fashion, music videos, commercials, pornography, etc. On the other hand, she is seduced. She becomes fascinated, feel lust and long for herself to have a similar beauty and to be coveted as an object.
The first Kill a Cat Show work was a solo choreographed and danced by Wingate. This was in 2012 and since then the work with the Kill a Cat Show material and theme has given rise to completely different ideas, works and collaborations. And Wingate has collaborated with dance artist Ina Dokmo, dance artist Liv Schellander, composer Cha Balsco, sound and light designer Eric Sjögren and filmmaker Anna Björemark.
www.sexascommercialinstinct.com
Works
2015 Kill a Cat Show (dance performance)
2015 Kill a Cat Show (video installations)
2015 Kill a Cat Show (dansfilm)
2013 Kill the Doll Show
2013 Dear Real Doll
2013 Dear Real Doll
2013 Flower of the Cave
2013 Kill a Cat Show solo #3
2013 Kill a Cat Show solo #2
2012 Kill a Cat Show solo #1
Kill a Cat Show has received support from Atlante, Ställbergs gruva, Vitlycke – Center for Performing Arts, 3:e Våningen, Bjällansås studio, Brewhouse, The Swedish Arts and Grants Fond, The Swedish Arts Council, Gothenburg City and Tanums municipality.
Alexandra Wingate 