In Le Cendrier du Gaze, Pierre-Patrice ‘Pépé’ Kasses takes on the role of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete). The question is whether the personification of such a controversial and fraught symbol can challenge and alter our view of the black body.
Engaging in a dialogue with Black Pete is no easy task, but little by little, it is presented it from another side. Pépé shows that, as a black performer, he often has to play roles he did not choose himself. By placing familiar narratives from the past in a contemporary context, he makes them his own, and the transformation can begin.
Spoken in English and French
"I try not to crawl into a victim role and don't want to accuse anyone. Rather, I draw the audience into the pain I experienced and make them understand that racism exists. It is still a system that everyone contributes to. Though I am not trying to make a blanket statement with this. I maintain: my version of black Pete is just one embodiment of that character." - Pierre-Patrice 'Pépé' Kasses in BRUZZ
Concept & performance: Pierre-Patrice Kasses - Dramaturgy & performance: Loucka Fiagan - Production assistant: Chiara Monteverde - With the support of: Bâtard Festival, Buenos Tiempos international, Kunstencentrum BUDA and Workspacebrussels
