Performance Protest London – Brazilian Disaster

 

PRESS RELEASE – 2nd December 2015

Brazilian dancer-actor Tiago Gambogi performs a ‘call for responsibility protest’ in front of British Australian mining company BHP Billiton in London in response to the Brazilian dam disaster and gives a white rose to the CEO Andrew Mackenzie

Dressed in white and covered in red mud, Brazilian dancer-actor Tiago Gambogi performed the protest entitled “Bittersweet River” yesterday (1 Dec 2015) in Wilton Road, in London Victoria, headquarters of BHP Billiton.

The performer created startling visual images bringing the attention of passers-by to one of the biggest environmental tragedies in Brazil, the disaster in Bento Rodrigues in the state of Minas Gerais, which has also polluted the River Doce (Sweet River).

After drinking and drowning himself in red blood, Gambogi stripped off to tight skirt and top in Brazilian colors, ate a banana and, on all fours, cleaned up the mess he had created in front of the companies building.

“BHP Billiton and Vale need to take responsibility for the impact of the disaster and clear up the mess they have created”, said Gambogi.

”Brazil is not a cheap asset or a Banana Republic. The country needs to move its economy from extraction to knowledge development”, remarked Gambogi.

As he completed his actions, Gambogi carefully gathered his props, put on a Brazilian cap and walked towards the main entrance, which had been locked by security. He rang the bell and asked to talk to the CEO Mr. Andrew Mackenzie.

After 15 minutes waiting by the entrance holding a white rose, Gambogi was met by one of the company’s Corporate Affairs Officer, as Mr. Mackenzie was said to be abroad. “I’m from Minas Gerais and I would like to know what you are doing about the consequences of the disaster in Mariana. I’m here for a conversation and to take responsibility for letting you into my country”. He commented that if the company did not take responsibility for the disaster he would visit them again.

 

For more information and interview enquiries please contact the artist directly
Tiago Gambogi – [email protected]
www.transamazonia.wordpress.com
Photography by Kristina Kashtanova
Collaborator: Donald Hutera
Video: Lilia Pegado & Kristina Kashtanova
Supported by Chelsea Arts Collective aka CAC

Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (68)

Performance Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (22)Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (69)

 

Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (66)Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (67)Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (70)

 

Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (75)

9 - Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (95)
Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (76)Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (78)Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (79)

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1 - Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (86)

Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (88)

 

6 - Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (91)

5 -Performance Protest Bittersweet River - by Tiago Gambogi - Photography by Kristina Kashtanova (90)

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One Response to Performance Protest London – Brazilian Disaster

    1. This is poetry in motion. The more the merrier! A child will remember this. A response always needed to man-made disasters affecting innocent lives. Pessoa would approve – poetry is not helplessness.

      Comment by Cy Lester on 15 December, 2015 at 1:44 pm

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