Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders
Materializing somewhere between nature documentary and Bollywood dance music video, this “mating ritual” simultaneously highlights and subverts gender norms within clandestine spaces through the narrated practices of humanoid arachnids. With a discreet nod to Heera Mandi, the red-light district in ancient Lahore, the performance shines an inquisitive flashlight in the shady cobwebbed corners where no one and everyone really wants to look.
Written & designed by Smalik
Performed and choreographed by Sarah Smalik & Jamie Tognazzini
Audio design by Ryan Scott
Commissioned by Nuit Blanche Calgary.
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders, performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
Mating Ritual of the Great Supernal Spiders (ceiling fan), performance, set design, costume design, 2014 (photo: Keith Carlsen)
