Photos and words by Domenica Bucalo
In our society, the word daughter is used to describe a biological relation to a person and family, a bestowed responsibility toward other humans and the environment, a term of affection or influence.
"Daughters" is conceived by Domenica Bucalo, an award-winning Italian artist whose work explores among other themes, the tension and coexistence between private and public, and choreographed by Sheila Anozier, an Haitian-American multidisciplinary artist whose main focus is the rich tradition of Haitian culture. The two live and work in Brooklyn and have been collaborating for a long time - two artists in ongoing conversation.
“Daughters,” a performance/tableau vivant, involves the participation of 20 to 25 female identifying performers. Intentionally occurring before the 2024 Presidential Election. "Daughters" stems from the 2016 performance "Girls Will Be Girls”.
“Daughters” is a participatory event taking place in a public space - the sidewalks of the Gowanus area in Brooklyn, featured in the Gowanus Open Studio 2024. A cherished annual event championed by Johnny Thornton and Emily Chiavelli of Arts Gowanus, that took place this year on the weekend of October 19th-20th 2024. Now in its 28th season.
Critical times require attention. It is our responsibility to remain human and in mutual understanding.
The individual becomes us. Kinship and togetherness. Moments of crisis and uncertainties, in a national political election, a pandemic, the fight for human rights, social and climate justice, incessant wars, etc... become circumstances where private and public merge in a possible long-lasting shift. The project claims attention to our life. It asks to transcend routine, it calls for understanding and engagement. Most things in the world are still beautiful and deserve our attention. As individuals and as a chorus, we hold space for ourselves, those who came before us and those who will come after.
Nothing lasts forever, memory is core to existence. Oblivion does not serve anyone.
