‘exodus’, Johan & Mika Thom (2008)

Performance held as part of “Rites of fealty/ Rites of passage” a group exhibition curated by Johan Thom & Bronwyn Lace and held at the Bag Factory Art Gallery, Johannesburg 29 July 2008.

Duration: approximately 60 minutes

A single figure wearing white pants, with his hands on his lap. A large steel bucket full of milk is postioned on a mirror base in front of him.
The female figure is dressed in white and stands one step behind the figure on the base. Her hands are placed on her lap and she wears an apron.
Two silver steel containers are placed on the floor beside her. These containers are filled with honey and blood (and mixed materials) respectively – she kneels, bending one knee and lowers her hands into the the materials. She straightens up and takes one step forward, covering the head of the first figure in a thick layer.

She begins by placing both hands on the crown of his head, taking care to keep the materials separated. Then she lowers both hands until she reaches his shoulders in a smooth affectionate gesture. She pauses momentarily when she reaches his shoulders and as she releases her hands from his body she takes a step back placing both her hands directly underneath her breasts (she will clean the excess of materials by rubbing her hands downward on the apron whilst the male figure completes his action).

Using his hands to stabilize his body, the kneeling figure now lowers his head and torso into the milk – keeping it there until he runs out of breath. Once complete he raises his body placing both hands on his lap again (neatly mirroring the basic gesture & posture of the female figure).

Photo credit: Robert Hodgkiss

Repeat the action until the materials are finished.