Weight of Tears

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(In collaboration with He Xin, Dong Qi)

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Duration: 1 hour

Location: Penghao Theatre, Beijing

 

Adapted from Tears and Saints, written by the Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran, Weight of Tears is a live art piece about the detachment of emotions. With the soundtrack of weeping and whimpering, the performers smash 150 kilos of onions with metalworking hand tools. 

 

It is a chance to become vulnerable and release tears together under the mask of the rationality of cutting onions. What types of tears an audience shed remain unknown to each other: are they reflex tears stimulated by onions? Or a more complex mix of reflex and psychic tears caused by strong emotions? However, the most important thing is to shed tears together for whatever reasons. It is an experiment to embody the philosophical thoughts on Saints’ ascetic practices through the semi-healing, semi-playful act of smashing onions. 

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Media Coverage:

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http://www.sohu.com/a/190718855_643561

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