Raphael Xavier, "Grid Iron Solo"

Creation and interpretation: Raphael Xavier.

An in-situ creation for the Nomadic Nights of the Fondation Cartier, as part of the SECONDARY exhibition by Matthew Barney.

As part of Matthew Barney’s exhibition-event SECONDARY presented at the Fondation Cartier from June 8 to September 8, 2024, the Nomadic Nights invite 4 performers from his latest video installation SECONDARY to each present in-situ creations.

Tonight, the American dancer and performer Raphael Xavier (interpreting Jack Tatum in the video installation SECONDARY) dives back into the tragic incident that occurred on August 12, 1978 where, during a professional football game, a violent impact between the Oakland Raiders defender and the New England Patriots receiver caused the latter to be paralyzed for life. The title of this performance, Grid Iron Solo, invokes American football jargon and designates the field of this sport which is similar to a gridiron by the layout of its lines.

With a contemporary approach to breaking bouncing between improvisation and freestyle, combined with a sound scape of athletic banter, narration and eclectic sound and music, Raphael Xavier explores the psychological effects that American football may have on the players.

The SECONDARY exhibition by Matthew Barney will be exceptionally open after the performance.

Biography

Raphael Xavier is a self-taught Hip-Hop dancer and Breaking practitioner since 1983, and one of the performers appearing in Matthew Barney’s SECONDARY where he plays American football player Jack Tatum. He has forged an exceptional approach to improvisation. American cultural historian and performer Brenda Dixon Gottschild deemed Raphael Xavier “a fine rhythm technician who transforms a bravado dance style into an introspective meditation”.