Krõõt Juurak / Alex Bailey - CODOMESTICATION

“We do this work not only because we believe in a society that is more inclusive of children and others but also because the creativity of these ‘others’ is inspiring to us even and especially when it disrupts and undermines our established paths and working methods.” – Krõõt Juurak & Alex Bailey

In March 2019, Krõõt Juurak & Alex Bailey’s “family performance” CODOMESTICATION had its premiere at Tanzquartier Wien. Back then, they invited the audience to watch the interactions between themselves and their then one-year old son Albert – who took part not only as a performer but also as co-director – in a performative live setting. Two years and a pandemic later, Alex and Krõõt have transitioned from a nuclear to a co-parenting family, while the central focus of CODOMESTICATION will still be on gender-political issues that come up while raising a child. Co-living and collaborating with a toddler can be challenging and sometimes even infuriating – grownups may well have to give up some, if not all their personal wishes and artistic ideals to make this work possible.

“Children force adults to be either anarchists or authoritarians”, Darren O’Donnell stated in Haircuts by Children. Children are considered an economic burden, someone to care for, and at the same time they are usually not allowed at the workplace, let alone a job of their own and participation in matters that matter to them. With their well-known brand of dry humour, Krõõt Juurak and Alex Bailey will attempt to find common ground with their toddler collaborator. By combining affective labour and childcare with artistic work, CODOMESTICATION addresses the precarious nature of both. A long-term project definitely worth seeing for the first, second or even third time.