Aay Liparoto, Small acts of violence
- Date: September 2023
- Client: Argos Brussels – Centre for audiovisual arts
- Project Type:Cinematic Virtual Reality Installation
About this Project
Client’s Objective We are all in need of love and care. But what happens when those who love and care for us are also physically or verbally violent? What happens when we are the violent ones? Out of this, how can you evolve a sense of safety?
Technologies: Cinematic Virtual Reality Installation, 2023, Produced by argos centre for audiovisual arts, 25 mins, Colour, English spoken, Dutch subtitles
Our solution
Small Acts of Violence is a surreal cinematic 360° experience concerning the entanglement of love and non-consensual physical violence and self-harm in intimate/ family relationships. The work is built from testimonies of women, non-binary, non- cis male perpetrators of domestic violence from Belgium and the United Kingdom, alongside repetitive, intimate performances of a fictional family. The experience seeks to expand our conception of domestic violence as the fragmented narratives traverse intergenerational trauma, sexuality, fear and shame beyond simplistic assumptions of the victim and perpetrator binary. The experience itself is fucking beautiful, gross, sexual, rancid and tender, asking: What are the actions we take in the name of love? What violence do we, in hindsight, blame on love?
Interview: https://archief.glean.art/artikels/in-conversation-with-aay-liparoto
writer & director : AAY LIPAROTO produced by : ARGOS CENTRE OF AUDIOVISUAL ARTS co-production C0N10UR AND V2_ LAB FOR THE UNSTABLE MEDIA ROTTERDAM supported by Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF)
executive producers : REBECCA JANE ARTHUR, DUŠICA DRAŽIĆ, PHOEBE ROBERTS, AAY LIPAROTO, JULIA WIELGUS
Featuring: Matilda Cobanli, Marie Diaby, Jihan Imago, Kaori Ishiguro, Hazel Lam, Charlotte Nagel, Lucia Palladino Voiceover: Conway McDermott.
Assistant to the director: Suzanne Cleerdin Music by: LUCIJA GREGOV Sound designer: Kwinten Van Laethem.
Costume Designer: Sofie Durnez 3D Illustration Designer – Loulou João. XR studio – Poolpio
The result
What actions do you perform in the name of love? What bad behaviors do you blame on love? Small Acts of Violence is a cinematic virtual reality experience that makes you physically aware of the relationship between love and nonconsensual violence. Your body is immersed in a beautiful, sexual, tender, and grotesque landscape. We hear overlapping and melting testimonies while watching caring and domestic scenes. A central figure devotedly guides you through a soft bubble of familiar objects, kitschy and colorful.
The stories are based on true personal experiences of women, nonbinary and non-cis male perpetrators of domestic violence and self harm. They challenge assumptions about domestic violence. Who is victim? Who is perpetrator? Small Acts of Violence is an invitation to collectively pursue a love free of violence.
Aay Liparoto places you among alluring pastels in a glowing space where the voice of Love welcomes you, reminding you of your autonomy. As often in their work, they explore the (social and institutional) boundaries that define our intimate relationships and the power relations that intervene on our daily lives and bodies.
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