NAZ SMOUNA &



HAZEL TOMLINSON.

HAND-ME-DOWN- Background

Conflicts in identity, unknown placement and fumbling a way through an understanding of heritage are some of the issues Naz Smouna and Hazel Tomlinson come to terms with through their performance piece HAND-ME-DOWN BACKGROUND. Smouna of Egyptian decent and Tomlinson of Algerian use the influences of the Arabic language to inform their work. Primarily using seven common and ubiquitous hand gestures within the Arab culture to create a narrative between the two performers, both Smouna and Tomlinson engage in a dialogue formulated by the use of these gestures which are accompanied by music created by the artists.

Gesture meaning:

1.) Come here
2.) Why/ What?
3.) Making a point
4.) Threaten/ Come to wits end
5.) Status/ Do you know who I am?
6.) I swear to God/ I give up (OR) It’s the truth/ I’m not lying
7.) Wait/ Calm down

Each gesture has been assigned a sound from a Playtronica Synth, an instrument that is designed around touch, forming an electrical circuit and desired sounds when two counterparts come into contact. This formulation of sounds in connection to the gestures is emblematic of the awkward fumbling of each artist attempting to get a grip on an understanding of their heritage, something that has been continually disrupted and obscured throughout their lives.

The heavy use of digital technology in the making of this performance is reflective of the atypical education of their heritages, with limited influences to help inform an understanding of their backgrounds, turning to the internet for answers has been a singular and frequented option pushing them to become autodidacts.

Themes:

Communication verbal/ digital
Notifications
Phones
Emojis
Meme culture
Conversation
Language
Ringing/ Calling
Retracing
Reasoning
Touch
Signalling