News
Something in the Water
Something in the Water
Summerhall
until 28 August
by Gareth K Vile
A story of self-acceptance, Something in the Water uses the metaphor of a squid to explain non-binary identity in a charming and straight-forward manner. Performer and creator Grumms uses video projection, toy dolls and a puppet squid to examine gender stereotypes and, in a witty story about how only a squid can save the world, celebrates an identity that refuses to conform tom the ideal presented by Barbie and Ken.
Grumm’s use of the two dolls becomes a way to critique the simplicity, and ubiquity of cis normative gender roles. Supported by footage of adverts (cars and sports and action for boys, beauty and home-making for girls), the very plasticity of Barbie and Ken speak to the manufactured, artificial notion of gender, and their immobility, asexuality and environmentally unfriendly material are elegant metaphors for the shaping of male and female into artificial categories. Against this, the home-made and warm material of the squid, with buttons for eyes, had a liberating quality, a sense of an identity that fits the human.
Here the puppet is not merely the medium but part of the story: while Barbie and Ken on a date has a child-like sense of fun, it is impossible to ignore their manufactured nature and Grumm’s surprising squid transformation offers an alternative to the glossy, sparkling yet ultimately alienating binaries.
As an introduction to non-binary experience, Something in the Water is funny, dynamic and engaging, comfortably articulating self-love and the ways in which diverse gender identities can not only fit into the world, but yet save it. And as Grumms says, the puppet form is a perfect way to push beyond limitations, drawing attention to the very material of being.
