Documentation: Klivv Bender

Video Editing: Klivv Bender

#diosxrising was a live performance by Yoli at their Senior Thesis Art Exhibition, Intimate Something. In it Yoli embodies their persona Coachilicue during a durational and interactive performance. Coachilicue is inspired by Yoli’s origins in the so-called Coachella Valley and the Nahuatl teotl/diosx/god Coatlicue. This is part of a postcolonial cosmology formation informed by Yoli’s Nahuatl ancestry and commitment to re-indigenizing as a cosmic frijole remembering how to belong.

During the performance, Coachilicue sands a vessel that is from their home planet and invites others to join them and converse; inspired by the history of “living exhibits” and “human zoos” where indigenous and racialized people were put on public display in a so-called "natural" or "primitive" state to demonstrate the superiority of Western culture. Conversations were mediated through technology since Coachilicue does not communicate in the same way that our human bodies are use to. The performance transitions to Coachilicue building a fire pit outside of the gallery with bricks from Yoli’s senior installation and with the help of attendees. The performance culminates with Coachilicue burning the vessel from their home planet to return its spirit home through the portal of the fire; pushing back against the objectification of Coachilicue and the vessel and reclaiming agency for both.