Mumbo-jumbo (2011)

Inspired by controversial 19th century juvenile literature including Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman, Tar-Baby and Other Rhymes of Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris, and The Adventure of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg by Florence Kate Upton, as well as masked ritual practices of the Mandingo people of Western Africa, Mumbo-jumbo is a duet for dancers Raja Kelly and Paul Singh exploring sticky situations that occur as a result of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and misrepresentation. The work, with costumes by Carol Binion, is set to music by Kishore Kumar and Raja Hindustani. The work premièred at the 92nd Street Y from February 25th-27th, 2011.

*This video is an excerpt from the complete work.