Haptic

2021

In the English language, “touch” has many meanings, all of which relate to being connected, present or aware. All living beings are, in some fundamental sense, in touch with each other – humans, vegetation and creatures share the same air. Touch opens up worlds beyond our own body-minds, reminding us that we are not discrete, bounded individuals.

Over this last year, we have been living in fear of each other — fear of getting too close. And yet many of us have suffered from a lack of touch. Both Šerpytytė’s performance Haptic and her bronze sculpture Spitting examine ideas behind “skin hunger” and the responsibilities that surround touch, the intimacy of bodies and proximity. They consider what stories, rituals and cultures emerge around both the invitation and prohibition of touch.

In collaboration with the Kaunas Dance Theatre Aura

Haptic was oiginally commissioned by the Kaunas Biennial 2021, Kaunas, Lithunia.