When MITsp – Mostra Internacional de Teatro de São Paulo invited nora chipaumire to present a retrospective of past works, she refused to participate in this linear and institutionalized format of presentation. acontinua - an obituary, a manual for a life lived chasing LIFE was made out of this refusal, as a commitment to liveness and the knowledge that all our experiences become muscle, breath, footfall, backbend. The word acontinua celebrates André Lepecki’s ongoing work with liberatory choreographies and marks the artist’s personal dedication to the Mozambican revolutionary leader Eduardo Mondale, the Zapatistas, and all the unsung women without whom change is impossible. Now, chipaumire re-situates this generative refusal in the basement at Westbeth over two distinctive performances. For this deeply personal work, chipaumire is joined by long-time collaborator, artist and performer Shamar Watt, with sound engineering by Kwamina Biney and music by Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited (Chimurenga).

ACCESS NOTES:
Please note: This performance contains use of fog, and may include loud sounds. Earplugs are available at the door. Entry: Doors open 15 minutes prior to the performance. Please arrive on time to ensure smooth check-in. Late entry is not guaranteed. There is an ADA accessible entrance via elevator in the lobby at 55 Bethune St. There is entry via stairwell through a steep spiral staircase leading directly into the basement space. Seating: Visitors are invited to stand and move throughout the space during the performance. Seating is available by request. Duration: The program run-time is about 1.5 hours total.

Photo: nora chipaumire and Shamar Watt in acontinua... (2025). Courtesy of the artist.