Carnival seems to create an alternative reality. "The reason why it's so important for people to celebrate Carnival is not because they have the chance to wear a mask, but because they have the chance to take the mask off and be who they really want to be," says Tirzo Martha.

The artist from Curaçao develops this idea in "Republic of the Caribbean", exhibited at the 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil. In the installation, he brings something from the visual culture of festivals held in public spaces in Curaçao and the region: the use of plastic chairs to temporarily demarcate a territory. With them, he creates a kind of choreography of body-objects. Accompanied by a video, the installation takes on a performative, spectacular and dramatic tone.

Interviews
Image and sound: B Paolucci and Julia Gil
Editing: B Paolucci and Julia Gil

Recording of the works
Image: Helena Wolfenson, Marcos Yoshi and Tom Butcher Cury
Sound: Tomás Franco