(you)TAKE(my breath)AWAY_cecilia white 2013

During the ten day interactive exhibition ‘What on Earth are We Eating?’ at The Vanishing Point Gallery Newtown, Cecilia White brings a 30 minute ‘Breathing Space’ performance to explore interpersonal nourishment and to air contemplations we may not often bring to the table.

TAKE AWAY_cecilia white 2013

Like the breath, (take away) foods often pass unnoticed in our lives, taken for granted. Yet the quality of the food, like the quality of our breathing, impacts our psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Breath is the shared human experience, its absence heralding death, isolation, being taken away. Its powerful connectivity reminds us of Shantideva’s call to practice interchanging the terms of ‘I’ and ‘other’, suggesting we are each others’ breath and the need to contemplate this connection. Food also offers a way to connect.

reflection_TAKE AWAY_cecilia white 2013

In literal terms ‘to take one’s breath away’ suggests movement, dislocation from self because of an act, a thought, a feast – or famine of some design. As an idiom it means to put into a state of awe or shock. When we take away ‘take away’ food, we discard the remains. Food, when ‘taken away’ without good reason, can shock, starve, cause disconnection between the body and spirit. The performance creates a reflective breathing space.

(you) take (my breath) away_cecilia white 2013

In her performance Cecilia White contemplates the view that we are each others’ breath, each others’ nourishment. She asks what do we keep and discard in the space of relationship – with ourselves and others? What happens to the breath when taken away? What releases, what remains? How do you nourish ‘the other’, the artist, your self?

Opening: Thursday, 9 May 2013 6pm – 9pm. Performance @ 7pm.
Artist talks: Saturday 18 May 2pm
http://atthevanishingpoint.com.au/index.php?p=9_5

(you) take (my breath) away_cecilia white 2013