Continuous Helix

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Continuous Helix is a performance work in progress.

Hidden in the DNA is the key to connection – to be able to retell the story of what never was – the mirror of a potential belonging. But DNA is also a deceiving trace as the stories forced from it only makes sense if there is comparison or a match. Even our genes are not created to stand alone or to be interpreted in solitude. DNA can be changed, molded and reshaped into what is wanted, what is beautiful and ideal.

The transnational adoptees are left in diaspora, and as birds they often as adults begins to migrate back. The travel back is formed by a mix of crossing boarders, trying to relearn what was not told, finding hidden stories of a past that cannot fully be grasped and crossing narratives trying to harvest the archive of the body. One of the techniques used in order to trace oneself is the DNA testing.

Continuous Helix is an investigation of the narrations created by the understanding of DNA. The project aims to illuminate the travels made possible by modern technology considered to be a factual science – but is in the end just as dependent on the human ability to retell it’s purpose.

The video installation “Continuous Helix” is a video performance project where the artist through 4 performance films investigates an formative process choreographed on the concept of DNA in a duration of 20 minutes each.

The processes are:
1: Unzipping: Video 1 presents the process ”Unzipping” – where the artist unveils the meaning and form of DNA. A slow building process starts where elements are gathered and the first sounds created. Creation is searching.
This part has been performed at Calling it Home, Stateless Mind 5, Jambatan 2023

2: Breaking the bond: Video 2 presents the process ”Breaking the bond”, where the artist splits the DNA via a mathematical system. In the splitting the strings are stretched and used in new processes. Searching is questioning.

3: Leading and lagging: Video 3 presents the process ” ”Leading and lagging” where the DNA is reshaped and tied into new strings of interpretation. Questioning is understanding.

4: Ligase: Video 4 presents the process ” ”Ligase”, where the work is sealed and retold through sound and new insights. Understanding is reinterpretation.

Music video for Torben Westergaard’s The Gori Project  inspired by Continous Helix

Concept for the video performance project ”Continuous Helix”: Yong Sun Gullach
Photos: Yong Sun Gullach and Mikal Schlosser