Performance: Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen. The Mitocondrial Eve
The performance will take place in the museum from 12:00, with segments at 13:00 and 14:00.
In connection with the exhibition Kai Nielsen. Born of Everyday Life, Fondet for dansk-norsk samarbeid and the Vigeland Museum present a performance by Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen. With her distinctive artistic expression, Cuenca engages in a dialogue with both Kai Nielsen’s and Gustav Vigeland’s work through text and music while also involving the audience through interactive elements.
Through this performance, Cuenca explores the many faces and forms of motherhood, as well as the ambivalence that defines these roles. She addresses the complexities and existential aspects of motherhood in the face of contemporary challenges, touching on themes such as parenting and the choice to opt out of it, postpartum psychosis, fertility issues, and Münchhausen syndrome.
The performance draws inspiration from key works by both artists: Vandmoderen and Træet og børnene by Kai Nielsen, as well as Gustav Vigeland’s iconic Sinnataggen and Genieporten—a monumental wrought-iron gate adorned with flying babies. The recurring motif of mother and child—both together and apart—is a central theme in the work of both Nielsen and Vigeland and forms the framework for this piece.
The performance is funded and produced by Fondet for dansk-norsk samarbeid. The music for the piece is composed by Ida Løvli Hidle.