ALL IS VANITY (2010)

Choque Cultural, São Paulo.

All is Vanity is a biblical quote from Ecclesiastes explored in different works of Stephan Doitschinoff, as well as in the performance made in São Paulo in 2010.

In the action, symbolic elements were organized in a ritualistic manner in order to put into question the vanity which exists in various situations, even in the relationship between people and religious objects, altruistic practices of abnegation and charity.

One of the starting points of the work is the research about the life of the ascetic, also known as holy men, who were deprived from their social life and practiced body mortification, self-flagellation, sexual abstinence, vows of silence, etc.

Ironically in this group of people dedicated exclusively to the development of the mind and the soul, these practices were also a competition whose winner is the one who withstands each probation the most, who were purer or holier, emphasizing the idea that even in altruistic deeds, the humility and spiritual practice can become a vanity cult.