Tear Gas Democracy

Tear gas is the weapon to counter demonstrations and dissidence. Made chiefly out of chili pepper (náhuatl chilli) due to its high amount of capsaicin, a powerful irritant of mucosae. Mexican shamans burn the chili peppers and heal with their smoke. This magical action will clean spiritually the participating activists.

Biography

OrgyPUNK/GRUPO D3 CHOK3 was born from the need of a change in awareness within a world whipped by state terrorism. Working in the margins of power, disturbances, strikes and disobedience through sabotage, the group stages public demonstrations with the firm belief that a better society is possible. Vive la révolution!

MUERTAS (DEAD)

MUERTAS (DEAD) is a performance that openly condemns the femicides that happened in Chile in 2016, by steering the attention of the beholder in the form of perpetrated death. Women take possession of the public space and put themselves in the place of the dead. Body, politics, and memory intersect in denunciation and reflection.

Biography

Maritza Farías Cerpa is a Chilean actor, teacher, theater director, and researcher. An Arcis University alum, she holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and is currently enrolled in the PhD Philosophy Program in Aesthetics and Art Theory at the University of Chile.

Ceremonial Opening

Biography

María Inés Huenuñir Antihuala is from the Champunahuel community in Cayumapu, Panguipulli, Los Ríos. She is the author of Más Allá de ser Mapuche, among others. She teaches about indigenous language and culture and has created a CD of children’s music in Mapuche. She belongs to the Sacred Circle of grandparents around the planet and her poetry has been disseminated in several languages, carrying the prayers of the people.

Ground

Stemming from the demands of Bolivia and of the Mapuche people, Ground interrogates sovereignty, and how dissidence is territorialized. Taking place on Plaza Baquedano, a landmark for protest in Santiago, Ground involves several performers who will manifest their dissent against the assimilation of sovereignty and territory in Chile.

Biography

María José Contreras Lorenzini (Chile) is a performance artist, theater director and a doctor in Semiotics. Her work focuses on the links between the body, feminism and post-conflict memory. Her work has been featured in Chile, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, Canada, and the USA. She directs the Arts Doctorate at the Universidad Católica de Chile.