In this work I attempted to draw a parallel between colonial Eurocentric views of Africa, as exemplified by the nineteenth century novel “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad, and contemporary local and international attitudes towards HIV/Aids in Africa. During the performance I showed a short 15-minute film based on my own reading of the novel to the audience: footage from various places in and around SA (Cape Town, Lesotho, Swaziland, Natal, Gauteng) and accompanied by short sections of text taken from the novel.

I then tied bricks to my feet and hands using 120m of red satin ribbon. I also carried a loudhailer and a shovel with me as I entered the space from behind the audience…creating the first rupture in the narrative. The second rupture in the narrative occurred when I physically walked in front of the screen – blocking their view somewhat but primarily distracting their attention away from the film. At this point I proceeded to take position behind a podium and started gagging my mouth using another 50m of red satin ribbon. Once complete I proceeded to attempt to read criticism against the novel (featuring comments by Chinua Achebe, amongst others) to the audience. Of course all they could hear was muffled gags and what seemed to be the nonsensical mutterings of a deranged figure. This situation improved somewhat near the end of the performance as the gag started loosening.