Nora Chipaumire: 100%POP
A Tramway Co-commission as Part of Take Me Somewhere
An Afro-futuristic soundclash of dance and music, inspired by Grace Jones’ ‘One Man Show’, 100%POP reckons with the production and consumption of the pop sound and pop imagery in the hyper-reality of global capitalism.
Pop can be read as the art of the ordinary, the art most accessible to the people. People, as those ordinary working masses, who don’t necessarily frequent museums and galleries. In 100% POP, Nora Chipaumire returns to the ways information and knowledge was acquired by those of us who grew up in less free times - the time of African broadcast stations, colour bars, Drum magazine, poverty, and active connections to rural and township lifestyles. Inspired by Grace Jones as perhaps the first superstar who was black, female and unapologetic about her presence, 100&POP references her famous One Man Show and the idea of a ‘cover’ soundclashing elements of Jones’ music with Zimbabwe’s Chimurenga music, dub and noise.
Recommended for ages 12+
ACCESS: Subpacs / BSL Interpreted (Ali Gordon)
Performed by Nora Chipaumire | Shamar Watt | Atiyyah Khan | Philip White
Sound Concept | Text | Lyrics: Nora Chipaumire
Vinyl DJ: Atiyyah Khan
Digital DJ: Shamar Watt
Sound Design: Philip White
Technical Direction | Lighting: Sean Seago
Set Design: Ari Marcopoulos | Kara Walker | Matt Jackson Studio
Light Design | Costume Concept: nora chipaumire
#PUNK 100%POP *N!GGA was co-produced by The Kitchen, Crossing the Line Festival and Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. Additional support for the trilogy has been provided by the Guggenheim Foundation, Institute for Creative Arts at the University of Cape Town, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and American Dance Abroad.
#PUNK 100%POP *N!GGA was developed through residencies provided by Lincoln Center Atrium Series, Gibney's Dance in Process program with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in partnership with JACK, Stephen Petronio Residency Center, Bates Dance Festival, University of Richmond Theater and Dance Department, Operaestate Festival - Bassano del Grappa, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Miami Light Project and Sarah Lawrence College.
Take Me Somewhere is Scotland's newest festival of contemporary performance. Now in its third year, the programme runs from 11 May - 2 June.
Image: Antoine Tempé