Battle Royal
2010, 2012
In an unscripted cage match inspired by the opening scene of Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man (also entitled Battle Royal), twenty professional wrestlers fought blindfolded until only one man was left standing. Occupying a space between literary representation, wrestling spectacle and performance art, Battle Royal was an intense, theatrical event hearkening back to the actual fight to-the-end bouts African Americans were encouraged to enter for prize winnings, during post-slavery in the American South.
Gradually, as the night reaches its peak, professional wrestlers caged in a ring and embroiled in action, must withstand the pain and embarrassment of struggling in front of eyes without having sight themselves.”
In an unscripted cage match inspired by the opening scene of Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man (also entitled Battle Royal), twenty professional wrestlers fought blindfolded until only one man was left standing. Occupying a space between literary representation, wrestling spectacle and performance art, Battle Royal was an intense, theatrical event hearkening back to the actual fight to-the-end bouts African Americans were encouraged to enter for prize winnings, during post-slavery in the American South.
Gradually, as the night reaches its peak, professional wrestlers caged in a ring and embroiled in action, must withstand the pain and embarrassment of struggling in front of eyes without having sight themselves.”