FUSE#1

Element# 1.2 Power of softness
Post-Colonial Tactics
by Chloe C. Chotrani
The body and land are deeply interwoven, particularly for
the female body because of our menstruation cycles. We
periodically renew, we are asked to rest as we release,
cleanse and prepare for the cycle ahead that weaves with
the rhythms of the earth. However, until today bleeding is
deemed as impure.
One of many sources of empowerment within the cultural
context of Southeast Asia is the Babaylan. Today, there is a
strong reclamation within the urban-indio communities of
the Filipino people. The Babaylan are the pre-colonial
spiritual practices deeply rooted in the feminine in the
Philippines. Where the untold stories of the matriarch are
coming into the forefront, as we see today through the
revolutionary voices that chose to radically respond.
Chloe’s notes.
This sense of shame as a woman brings me to ask questions about
the erotic. Where we have to live up to the illusion of beauty standards
that force us to be ashamed of the natural body or when we stay quiet
and suppress our voices when we are in pain, because of mere,
convenience.
While in this residency, when warming the body to prepare for
movement or to create mental space. A speech by Audre Lorde would
often play in the background, which I find to be extremely relevant to
the shift towards femininity at present. An excerpt from Uses of The
Erotic by Audre Lorde:
For once we begin to feel deeply
We begin to demand from ourselves the joy which we know ourselves to be
capable of
In other words, our erotic knowledge empowers us
This is a grave responsibility
Not to settle
Not to settle for what is convenient, or shoddy, or the conventionally expected
Nor what is merely safe
We have been raised to fear the yes in ourselves, our deepest cravings
And, the fear of our deepest cravings will always keep them suspect
And will also keep us docile, loyal, and obedient
And lead us to settle for so many facts of our oppression, as women
Ideas surrounding obedience within the Singaporean context deeply
suppress sensations and desires. Which cause a ripple effect of
chasing after structures of safety, which I feel can be dangerous to be
too clean. Thus, this piece by Audre Lorde, articulates that pleasure in
the effort and struggle for depth and rigor in all action—whether it be
dancing, gardening, writing, loving or cleaning. The erotic, not to be
confused with erotica, rather, the embodiment of Eros.
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