Harminder Singh Judge will premier ‘The Modes of Al-Ikseer’ at Arnolfini, Bristol on 26/27 February 2010, as part of a national tour working with producer/director Simon Poulter.
The 45 minute performance is an unusual interlocking of performance art and spectacle, mixing together Hindu myth, 1980’s synth music and live Dhol drumming.
The artist revolves on a slowly moving aluminium platform, surrounded by a pool of milk, bringing the ancient Hindu story of the Churning of the Ocean back to life. This mythical story recounts how the elixir of life was created when the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (devils) allied to churn the ocean. Vasuki, the King of the Serpents, was employed as a rope and wrapped around Mount Mandaranchal in order to create the elixir. The first attempt failed, as the mountain began to sink into the ocean, but the god Vishnu appeared as a turtle supporting the mountain on his back.
Singh Judge takes the Hindu myth and deliberately collides this imagery with his own interests in electro pop and contemporary culture. During the performance he his dressed in traditional Hindu costume, while wearing a neon-lit ring with the legend ‘Pick up the receiver I’ll make you a believer’ glowing in white. The lyrics, borrowed from the seminal Depeche Mode track ‘Personal Jesus’, serve to intensify the mythic remix that defines this work.
The performance culminates in a dynamic crescendo with a remix of ‘Personal Jesus’ coinciding with live Dhol drumming. Sound and lighting design are by Bristol based artists Alex Bradley and Rod MacLachlan respectively.
For details of the performance tour dates and venues CLICK HERE