Catalogue > Un extrait vidéo au hasard

OR119 is a theoretical musical based on the ideas of radical psychologist Wilhelm Reich who, as Freud’s favorite student, centered his study on the intersections of psychoanalysis and Marxism. Reich’s best work advocates for a re-imagining of family structure and gender roles, sexual liberation for younger people and the working poor and a deep understanding of the effect of fascisms on the body. OR119 is based on quotations by Reich set to song and also in imaginary conversations between Reich and a number of contemporary feminist thinkers. With a group of women friends in improvisation, we playfully examine the unsettled legacy of Reich and his surprisingly relevant dynamic with feminist thought. Reich proposed Orgone, a universal life energy (akin to Chi) based on sex and positive expression that Reich claims to have discovered, and here we grant him the honor of the next number on the periodic chart (OR119) for his discovery. The musical resonance and vibrations of the voices in song make manifest the invisible positive energy that Reich believed was universal. This is by no means a bio-pic! but it is a celebration of life's potential for immersion in nature, the cosmos and interactive energy.

PEGGY AHWESH has worked since the 70's in wide range of technologies and styles in an inquiry into feminism, cultural identity and genre.  Featured in the Whitney Biennial (1991, 1995, 2002). Solo exhibitions include: Spike Island (2021); Kunsthall Stavanger (2022); Cleave (2019) Microscope Gallery, New York. Film retrospectives: Anthology Film Archives/NYC, Guggenheim Bilbao/Spain, New Media Fest Seoul/Korea, BFI/London and others. Ahwesh is Emeritus Professor from Bard College and al-Quds Bard College, West Bank, Palestine, where she taught media production and history. Collaborator JACQUELINE GOSS makes movies and web-based works that explore how political, cultural, and scientific systems change our sense of self through animation and live action in documentary and essay forms. Her work has shown at Eyebeam Atelier, The Wexner Center for the Arts and festivals in New York, London, Rotterdam. Goss has received awards from the Tribeca Film Institute, Creative Capital Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, Jerome Foundation, Herb Alpert Foundation, the United States Artist Award and the Berliner Kunstlerprogramm. Her videos are distributed by Video Data Bank in Chicago. She teaches Media at Bard College