Obel Performs MIZIGO (WEIGHTS) at PERFORMATICA 2026 in Venice
Performance artist Obel performed at PERFORMATICA 2026, a festival held in Venice from 30 July to 2 August, coinciding with the 61st edition of the Venice Biennale.
On the streets and in the public squares of Venice, Obel performed MIZIGO (WEIGHTS in Swahili), a site-responsive piece exploring abody’s search for a home and the weight of waiting to find it. The work drawson the experiences of a migrant body existing in a liminal space, waiting forfreedom, belonging, and peace.
In MIZIGO, the concept of home is not merelyunderstood as a physical place. Rather, it is embodied through acts of care andsolidarity: a hand reaching out and saying, ‘Let me help you carry this weight’,or the simple presence of another person, even in silence.
This was the second edition of PERFORMATICA, presentedunder the theme ‘Corpus Migrante’/’Migrant Body’ and featuring a programme ledby independent artists. Organised and curated by artist and cultural producerHéctor Canonge, the festival reflects on human displacement, the voluntary orimposed relocation of bodies, and processes of psychogeographic adaptation.
Obel
Obel is a performance artist from Nairobi, Kenya,whose work includes performance, writing, and storytelling. Using the humanbody as their artistic medium, Obel often draws on personal experiences intheir work.
Obel is the ICORN resident in Östersund, Sweden forthe period 2025-2027. There, they continue their work, developing newperformances and presenting them at local, national, and international events.
