These ritual costumes were designed to tell stories about "The Joy and Shame of our Ocean". Through the spirit of the Orishas, the ancient feminine power has surfaced from the deep ocean floor with messages for all of us.
From Left to Right: Amara Tabor Smith representing Yemonja (mother of the Orishas) adorned in a Victorian era bustle cage made of coat hangers and binding tape, she honors the tragic life of Sara Baartman (Venus Hottentot) through the caged imagery. Regina Califa representing Nana Buruku (grandmother of the Orishas), Karen Ransom representing Olokun (owner of the ocean) and Malia Connor representing Mami Wata adorned as a mermaid shouldering a garbage ladened backpack telling us how we are killing our oceans.
Body Politics -Yerba Buena Center for the Proforming Arts
San Francisco
February 2014
Tribute to Sara Baartman. Bustle cage made of coat hangers and binding tape, imagery heat transfer on canvas. Choreographer/Director - Amara Tabor Smith Photo by Dana Kawano
Draped layering of fabric, fishing net and shells Performing Artist - Regina Califa Photo by Dana Kawano
Victorian styling adorned with top hat, fishing net, shells, rubber bicycle tire inner tube as kelp Performing Artist - Karen Ransom Photo by Dana Kawano
Mermaid made of metallic spandex, fins made of lace, tail fin made of lace and woven straw and latex paint. Backpack made of bubblewrap, netting, string, plastic bottles and ribbon. Performing Artist - Malia Connor Photo by Dana Kawano
Antique Naked Soul in collaboration with Deep Waters Dance Theater video
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