EASTER presents HER OWN
While most countries in the European Union allow abortion on demand during the first trimester there are still a few which have either a total ban on abortion or only allow it in cases where the woman's life is endangered. The 8th amendment of Ireland's constitution gives equal status to “the right to life of the unborn” and “the mother”, making abortion illegal even after rape, incest or if a fetus has no chance of surviving to full term. Those in Ireland who choose to have an abortion are threatened with a prison sentence of 14 years, and anyone assisting with a termination in Ireland can face a prison sentence too, leaving doctors too afraid to help.
Meanwhile in Poland the governing right wing party is trying to impose a total abortion ban on the country. On October 3rd people all over the country protested this by participating in a “Women's Strike” and achieved a what seems like a postponement for the time being. Every year thousands travel from Ireland to England and from Poland to Germany for abortions.
On October 15th EASTER presents HER OWN at HAU Hebbel am Ufer Berlin, a project in collaboration with 3hd and Abortion Support Network.
In an effort to promote the separation of human sexuality and reproduction, EASTER examine its ethical perspectives with the tools of contemporary charity culture. The performance will see the launch of a fundraiser auction, making it possible to bid on an original prop of their 2016 music video “Leda”. The project aims to raise the funds for a single abortion to signify its relating efforts and expenses.
EASTER is the Berlin-based duo of Stine Omar and producer Max Boss, who place the deadpan delivery of riddling rhymes atop synthetic post-Eurodance beats, distilled into bleak minimalism. Since 2011 they have released three albums and toured the world. EASTER’s sonic identity is bolstered by a playfully clinical visual language – their self-directed music videos show the sophisticated DIY aesthetic they have crafted, equally suitable for laptop screens as in white cubes. As an extension of this, in 2014, Stine and Max unveiled the first episodes of their bleak, lo-fi soap opera Sadness is an Evil Gas Inside of Me, narrated by Stones Throw recording artist Anika and drag legend Vaginal Davis.
Abortion Support Network is an almost entirely volunteer run UK Charity set up in response to the Irish abortion ban. They provide practical information on the least expensive way to arrange an abortion and travel as well as financial help towards the £400 to £2000 it costs those in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man to access a safe, legal abortion in England. While other organisations campaign for much-needed law reform, ASN is the only group providing what our clients need most immediately: money.