The Peace Superhero

“Peace of Ass / Walking the Peace Talk” is an exploration of the symbolism of national identity that is at play in what’s called the  “Israeli-Palestinian” conflict.  In a mock fashion show that includes dance our project employs humorous, irreverent contact-based physical activity to displace the psychic investments of national subjects and to activate alternative enjoyment that entangles the national identities of Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Arabs with each other in symbols of peace. The project consists of six sections: playing with flags, walking the peace talk, shouldering peace/heading for peace, getting comfortable with peace, peace superhero, and “Peace of Ass” contact improvisation dance.  In a static exhibition of clothes and flags from the performance, participants are invited to try peace on for size.

The project was staged and performed at the International Zizek conference, “Parallax Future(s) in Art and Design, Ideology, and Philosophy,” held at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, April 4-6, 2014.

The project is discussed by its producers and directors, Ariel Katz and Jon Simons, in “Peace of Ass / Walking the Peace Talk: A non-artists’ statement.” International Journal of Žižek Studies, Special Issue on Žižek & Art (Guest Editors – Kristopher Holland and Hallie Jones), Vol 9 No. 1 (2015).

The essay is available on line: http://zizekstudies.org/index.php/ijzs/article/view/513/541