Himali Singh Soin: On Translucency

Alserkal Arts Foundation in partnership with Delfina Foundation presents “On Translucency”, a performance by Himali Singh Soin, evolves from a mytho-poetic essay reflecting on themes of opacity, visibility, and the fluid spaces between. Originally developed during her residency in Dubai, the piece returns with new layers of sound, accompanied by percussionist David Soin Tappeser and conch player Byron Wallen.

The essay at the heart of the performance is part of Himali’s collection of emergent manifestos, responding to our changing world with a poetic and philosophical approach. Drawing on the metaphor of translucent spaces—between land and sea, thought and friendship, knowing and not-knowing—Himali explores Édouard Glissant’s ideas of opacity. She reframes them through her lens of cultural interaction, suggesting that translucency allows for both privacy and connection, creating a delicate balance between visibility and the unknown.

During her Dubai residency, Himali and David visited the UAE’s intertidal sabkha zones—ecologically rich, liminal spaces between land and water. Salvaging objects from these areas, David created instruments, weaving their sounds into the performance. For the London iteration, Byron Wallen’s conch playing adds new depth, infusing the soundscape with the essence of water and its rituals.

This iteration offers a contemplative space, aligning with the post-Frieze atmosphere and the growing sense of global disconnection. As a poetic manifesto, On Translucency encourages a softer, more fluid approach to how we engage with each other and our environment, advocating for plural coexistence and cultural fluidity in a world of widening divides.

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 12pm
Venue: Westminster Chapel, Buckingham GateSW1 6BS, London