QUEER BODY PRACTICE MYANMAR (2020) 
MATTHEW ROGERS & CHRIS LEUENBERGER 

In January 2020 Matthew Rogers and Chris Leuenberger were invited to Myanmar in the frame of a Pro Helvetia South East Asia research residency.   

During their month-long research trip they developed a transcultural exchange with local performance artist Ko Latt and his installation piece “Apple II”. Addressing questions of gender and sexuality, erotics as a political voice, the exoticism of the foreign body, censorship and nudity in the performing arts, they engaged in a rich and delicate dialogue about the use of erotics in dance and performance.

Taking Ko Latt’s solo “Apple II” and their duet “Desire & Discipline” as case studies, they ended up creating a new hybrid version of the two works, which was presented at the auditorium of the Goethe Institute Myanmar.

In the frame of the workshop “Queer Body Practice Myanmar” they worked with local artists and movers on a queer memorial / performance ritual showcased at the Thakhin Mya Park and at the Institut Français de Birmanie. How much visibility do queer bodies in Myanmar have? How can we use our body and voice to empower ourselves and to contribute to a more inclusive society? All performance events were presented in the frame of the Yangon Pride 2020.

 

concept Matthew Rogers, Chris Leuenberger realisation in collaboration with Ko Latt, Yadanar Win, Ki Ki, Aye Mya Myint Mol, Harzarar Lin Latt, David Si Thu, Lin Thet Aung, Htet Shar Maung, Kyaw May Myat Kyaw local workshop coordinator Yadanar Win logistic support &PROUD documentary film / camera & editing Christopher Chan Nyein photography Stephane Ferrer Yulianti venue partners Goethe Institute Myanmar, Institut Français de Birmanie, Thakhin Mya Park made possible through the generous support of Pro Helvetia New Delhi special thanks to Akshay Pathak, Sadaf Raza, Chiara Luxardo, Jan Willem Van Rooij