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Chanje Kunda- One Woman Performer Uses Physics in her Work

Chanje Kunda- One Woman Performer Uses Physics in her Work
Performer Chanje Kunda of England is debuting a new show called “Superposition.”  Kunda’s show is a one-woman performance consisting of her celebrating females and their sensuality.  Using different styles of dance- contemporary, ballet, pole, and lap- Kunda shows her views on what it is like to be female.  Interestingly enough, Kunda compares parts of her show to particle physics. A quote from Kunda’s website reads; SUPERPOSITION will take you down the rabbit hole of physics: from the quantum world of the tiny to the expanses of the universe – via a lap dancing club – seeking to answer the big questions in life”  Kunda did extensive research while creating her performance to capture different perspectives on topics such as the laws of attraction.  She interviewed particle physicists, philosophy professors, and dance teachers alike to gain an all inclusive view onto the answers of questions like these.  At one point in her show, she attempts to explain these laws of attraction by comparing the workings of particles to those of nightclubs. In a spoken word element of her performance she explains "If an atom was a nightclub, the nucleus would be dancing in the middle of the dance floor and the electron would be orbiting the nucleus getting to see its sexiness from all angles." Kunda furthers the effect of this line by spinning while speaking.  Kunda's goal in her new show is to put together the celebration of beauty with the celebration of brains.  Movement is constantly connected to scientific themes throughout the show.  

I find it interesting that Kunda is trying to pair science and art in this way. When most people think of the joining of the two, they would think of a painting or a picture. Kunda takes this a step further and to a step that is outside of most people's comfort zones. Most people would not think to pair the laws of attraction with contemporary dance. It would also be interesting to see people's reaction to Kunda's show. I wonder if they actually learn any new physics or gain a deeper self understanding after watching her show. If show-goers were given a short questionnaire on the laws of attraction both before and after the show, I am curious to see if their answers would change. Also, if a man were to put on a similar performance, would he draw the same parallels that Kunda did after her research? This show is something that has the potential to open many people's eyes to the world of physics. Maybe after watching the show people will be intrigued and want to learn more about the topics discussed.
Works Cited

"Superposition." Chanje Kunda. N.p., n.d. Web.
Youngs, Ian. "Chanje Kunda: The Poet Using Pole Dancing to Explain Particle Physics." BBC News. BBC, 24 Oct. 2017. Web.

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