von tanzen, leiden und weissen spuren

of dancing, of suffering and of white traces.

This performance was created as part of ‘WE WALK – STRATEGIES FROM ZURICH’. and was presented at Das marsie – Raum für kollektive Kunst. Zurich /CH. Curated by Marie-Anne Lerjen and Simone Etter.

The performance aimed to raise awareness of the issues facing people, especially women, who are in transit across Mexico’s southern border.

For two hours, I walked along the sides of the street where the marsie collective art space is located. First, while walking, I left a pair of women’s shoes on both sides of the street.
Then I took a bag of white powder and walked down the street, leaving it there. I also left footprints and white lines on the road. I walked back and forth along the entire route. Sometimes I stopped in the street. The white powder continued to come out of the bag that I was carrying on my shoulder.

For the third act, I stand in front of the gallery and take out a loudspeaker. Through it, I tell stories. These are autobiographical tales interwoven with the stories of women crossing the southern border from where I come. I continue walking down the street, back and forth. White powder continues to pour from my pink bag.
At another point in the street, the loudspeaker plays the stories again. It is dark by the time the performance ends.

Thanks to Anke, Lilian and another woman for providing the shoes that made this performance possible.

©maricruz peñaloza 2026. All rights reserved. Total or partial reproduction of the texts or photos is expressly prohibited. All rights belong to the artist, both the texts and the photographs.