"As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive; and as, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected. From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form." Charles Darwin

 

DUST MITES (2013) stems from taking an ironic look at popular English expressions, “the fabric of society” and being “cut from the same cloth”. The series calls into question inherent contradictions within formations of identity or belonging - questioning unjustified treatment cast on to those who find themselves on the outskirts.

 

Creatures that represent DUST MITES within cities, nations and cultures are created predominantly from grey blankets, commonly associated to the incarcerated, the poor and the homeless within Southern Africa. Ironically these ‘natural organisms’ suggest a need to clean or purify that which irritates, is undesirable or simply does not belong.

 

The DUST MITES are placed in what could be suggested as organic situations; moments where love is shared, food is enjoyed and affluence is expressed. The organic manifestation of DUST MITES appear against fabricated city backdrops, housing complexes and institutions described as multi-cultural, cosmopolitan or secular and captured through site-specific performances and/or displayed through ‘Digital Fabrications’ projected onto walls around the city.

 

The performances are conceptualised for audience participation through its site-specific interventions