Imagine I'm worth...

Performance

2019

Performers: Katharina Cibulka, Austria & Zahra Sebti, Morocco

 

The year is 2019.
We look back on a long history of men.
And where have women been?

The year is 2019.
We are re-writing our history.
We are writing the present, we are shaping the future.
We, two artists from different countries and cultural backgrounds met and spent months reflecting our own roles as women and (concerned) world citizens. From our many conversations we have developed a dialogue – performance.

We use this moment of new beginnings, this Instant before the world, to envision a future where equality is a matter of fact.
Based on our deeply personal thoughts, we seek to imagine and address fundamentally human needs. We invite the audience to join in and experience this new state of equality.

Performance Text
Villa des Arts, Rabat, Marokko, 24.9.2019
Katharina Cibulka & Zahra Sebti

KC
Imagine.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine we all have the same privileges.
Imagine living in a society that unites all sexes.
Imagine we could be whoever we want to be.
Imagine you respecting me (even though I am a woman).
Imagine me respecting you even though we are different.

ZS
Imagine.
Imagine me as a 14-year old bride.
Imagine me as a 15-year old mother.
Imagine me as a 16-year old blond activist.
Imagine me as a 17-year old Nobel Prize winner.
Imagine me as a 22-year old man supporting several families.
Imagine us as a 30-year old couple managing birth control together.
Imagine me as a 35-year old man sharing the housework with my wife.
Imagine me as a 40-year old woman going back to work.
Imagine us as 60-year old sisters inheriting from our father.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.

KC
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine we could (ex)change roles.
Imagine us crossing lines (hudud).
Imagine women and minorities being protected.
Imagine we all have a fair share of society.
Imagine we all have the same power.
Imagine we all speak the same language.
Imagine us free of any traditional structures.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.

ZS
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine me afraid of a punishing god.
Imagine me freeing myself from the judgement of others.
Imagine me responsible for any violence I experience
Imagine us free of familiar pressure.
Imagine society taking care of the weak.
Imagine me telling on everyone breaking the rules.
Imagine no hypocrisy.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.

KC
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine we could love whoever we want to love.
Imagine sexual rights aren’t just male rights.
Imagine we all have the same rights.
Imagine gender doesn’t exist.
Imagine having a safe and legal abortion.
Imagine we could freely make decisions about our bodies.
Imaging being free of judgement.
Imagine empathy.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.

ZS
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine I am the change and am not afraid of it.
Imagine my life belongs to me.
Imagine me living in a loving society.
Imagine me growing up in an accepting family.
Imagine me influenced by a culture of peace.
Imagine me safe to make my own choices.
Imagine my sexuality belongs to me.
Imagine my faith belongs to me.
Imagine us breaking taboos.
Imagine us following our hearts.
Imagine us dancing out of line.
Imagine us using our power to keep peace.
Imagine us using our power to keep balance.
Imagine a perfect world.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.

KC
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine all people feel the great value of freedom.
Imagine all people feel the great value of peace.
Imagine we have enough courage to change the system.
Imagine that education is a matter of course and a universal right.
Imagine altruism is stronger than selfishness.
Imagine we give young people enough room to develop themselves.
Imagine the power of men has the same value as the power of women.
Imagine we use our privileges to save nature.
Imagine we tackle problems at their roots.
Imagine rewriting history.
Imagine us one hundred years later.
Imagine being an idealist.
Imagine fairness everywhere and in all matters.

KC & ZS
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.
Imagine I’m worth as much as you.
Imagine you’re worth as much as me.

Photo credits: Ferdinand Cibulka