Janet Biggs is much more than a video artist. She is an explorer traversing the very edge of human experience, whether it is the outer rim of tough earthly terrains or the interior space of a living body. Often juxtaposing images of living with disabilities alongside footage of conditions in the most extreme places on the planet, Biggs takes viewers on a journey through physical discomfort to spiritual liberation.
Biggs may be a pioneer, but she rarely travels alone. In this installation at the ICEHOUSE, she collaborated with Davian Robinson, a blind dancer and choreographer. Together they convey the sense of movement in a dimly lit, foggy landscape experienced by Robinson, who can only sense shadow and light. The result, Contra Naturam, is a serene and beautiful example of grace in the face of trauma.
