BROWN LABELS derive from the understanding of being ‘other’. From both the internal
and the external. The idea that being of mixed – race or mixed descent can both alienate
an individual, and inform them in a multitude of ways. Many brown descent or mixed
people have often described not fitting in. Being told that they are better than, but not as
good as. The “Brown Labels” performance explores this discourse through music, poetry,
dance and personal memories.
Historically, brown people are the result of miscegenation. For those who are brown,
hearing the phrase „You’re not that black“ is part of everyday life. But what is it like to be
in a racial category „in the middle“? For some people, reflecting on how they see
themselves and how they are seen by society results in a process of discovering
themselves as black. It is when you assume who you are, accepting the traits of the
„black parcel“ that constitutes you, transforming a past of attempts at whitening into
pride of being black. This is the movement we see today – and it tends to grow. After a
historical discussion about miscegenation, passing through the stereotype of
„degenerate“ and the exaltation of the mulatto, culminating in the myth of racial
democracy, the brown gains the possibility of another identity: light-skinned black, no
middles. Using art as a powerful instrument in the deconstruction of aesthetic precepts
and standards, BROWN LABELS aims to portray the authenticity of brown bodies in their
genuine forms, as light – skinned black, enhancing self-esteem and the nature of
someone who is always seen in the shadows, in the supporting role. We want to invite the
audience to follow the sensitive gaze of the artists by portraying a delicate theme in an
environment that provides a creative encounter between plasticity, aesthetic seduction
and political-social act.
Performance in English, German, Portuguese & French with English subtitles.
Uraufführung 2023 im Oyoun KulturneuDenken
DIRECTION Mirah Laline CHOREOGRAPHY Black Pearl de Almeida
PERFORMANCE Jota Ramos, Astan Meyer & Maurice Werner VIDEOS Zé de Paiva, Kathleen Kunath STAGE DESIGN Andreina Vieira dos Santos COSTUME Moussi Bang LIGHT DESIGN
Moody Kablawi ASSISTANT & ACTING COACH Mariana Senne PRODUCTION &
PUBLIC RELATIONS Anna Júlia Amaral POSTER COLLAGE Astan Meyer FOTOS
Maí Yandara DESIGN Felipe Rodrigues COMMUNICATION & HELPING HANDS
Samuel Heidermann
MIRAH LALINE 