LipSync* is an artistic research focusing on the practice of lip-synchronization: a technical term for matching a person's lip movements with sung or spoken vocals. The research asks: What happens when body relates to aural text - information perceived through the sense of hearing? Instead of approaching lip-synchronization as impersonation, LipSync* takes compassion – empathy and kindness - as its foundation to practice "humanization" of oneself and others. "Humanization" is a remedy for the dehumanization from which marginalized bodies suffer.
An embodied transfeminine experience informs the development of LipSync*. It provides space-time to satisfy the need to break free from social norms, shame and fear that cause suffering for non-normative bodies. It explores different ways of listening, noticing and supporting bodies in shared space-time, as well as inviting people to reflect on their lived experience. Synchronizing with a loved song permits oneself to feel alive in one's body. LipSync* facilitates the embodiment of aural text and looks how it moves through the body, through individual, through collective identity. It is an encouragement to let go of shame and become vulnerable. By engaging in ways of being together, LipSync* becomes a choreographic tool. It is wit(h)nessing.
As an ongoing research LipSync* can serve as a foundation for exploring performativity, choreography and dancing. For now LipSync* manifests in various forms. It serves as the guiding principle in making the choreography for performative events – ritual “Shame.Initiation”, ceremony “You are my sister” and performative reading “Sister, I am a bird now” done by Ģirts Estere Dubults. Nevertheless workshop “LipSync* Party” is a performance workshop where people from different backgrounds share space and time together in order to let go and open up by preparing several stations, each allowing a different way to interact with the LipSync*, to support the LipSyncer* in their moment with compassion.
If you would like to approach dancing the same way as LipSync* approaches a song, you need to reconsider perception of yourself. Foremost, be kind to yourself. Make sure you feel comfortable – check your outfit. Perceive the space, the time, and the body as a sanctuary – a place where you belong and you are safe without any doubts. Let heart become the beacon of light. Follow it, as your heart gives and receives constantly. Move as you would sense Sun kiss your skin.