FAREWELL

Farewell by Yael Bartana captures the moments leading up to the departure of a fictional generation ship destined for remote galaxies. Before embarking on a redemptive journey humanity bids Earth goodbye in a choreographed ritual, hoping for survival in leaving the planet to heal itself. Shortly before midnight, allegorically running out of time, the ship emerges as a messianic vessel. The dancers mirror the kinetic movement of the ship as well as the human endeavor behind it. Their gestures navigate the liminal space between our world and the unknown future.

Following her method of pre-enactment Bartana draws from the Labanotation, a system developed by choreographer Rudolf von Laban in the early 20th century, combining expressionistic dance with collective and ritualistic movement in ways that echo Bartana's own engagement with social themes. As the video unfolds, Bartana invites her viewers to join the great departure towards the new frontiers of outer space.