4 (a) ch/cords is a performance exploring attachment, that ambivalent force that binds us to loved ones, to cherished places, to the land, and to our history. This attachment is rooted in the love of others, of life, of where we are, and of the Earth itself.

It is a dual bond, both constraining and vital: it can imprison us as much as it provides the energy necessary to persevere, move forward, and navigate life’s challenges.

The installation is activated by the presence of a performative body, which enters the space and intertwines with four ropes stretched across the exhibition room, following a specific activation score. Between the tension of these ties and the desire for liberation, a sudden fall suspends the body in mid-air. Suspended, the body becomes a subject of questioning—a stranger to its environment—clinging to the space like a sculpture or a living photograph.

An ethereal song, originating from elsewhere, accompanies this suspended body, cradling it and gradually releasing it from its entrapment.

The performance concludes with a final tension in the ropes, which remain taut in the space, forming a sort of swing. The audience is invited to touch, explore, and find their balance with this residual structure, extending the experience of attachment through a bodily interaction that is both intimate and open-ended.

Technical Sheet:

Title: 4 (a) ch/cords

Materials: Ropes, carabiners, body, and vocal performance

Dimensions: Site-specific installation, variable dimensions

Created by: Daniel Nicolaevsky Maria

Year of Creation: 2019

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