To investigate symbols of connection and to question performance art as a form of peaceful protest, IGUANA Collaborative performed DOLL CHAIN in Art in Odd Places: Dress festival, with 6 walkers, wearing identical robes connected at the sleeves. We chose two fabrics named “safety orange” for the robe and “flame” for the pants to explore how high-visibility orange represents protection in contemporary society and elevates a sense of caution or importance around one body.

The experience of meandering through 14th Street on Oct. 15 as one anonymous, calm and joyous unit was cathartic at a time of social unrest and war. Wearing identical orange robes allowed us to experience the world from other perspectives and feel a connection to the flow of energy on the street. Passersby stopped to inquire, asked to join, laughed and stared. On numerous occasions, DOLL Chain circled a willing bystander to honor their being and share in their laughter.

Digging deeper, color psychology says orange has the ability to increase energy and creativity, and it is also associated with spiritual practices including meditation, compassion, transformation and higher states of illumination. For example, in chakra theory orange is the color of Svadthisthana which translates to “one’s own dwelling.” When moving, the second chakra lets us feel our emotions more vividly without them controlling us, and activates our power to innovate and find new, creative ways of living IN the world.

In other words, kindness, compassion, joy and calmness are positive qualities of human nature which help to center us while offsetting the darker elements skirting us. These positive ways of being connect us to basic goodness — and to one another. Together, we can cultivate care through our art practices during times of strife, and strive to end human suffering.

DOLL CHAIN at 14th Street Park, Little Island and Whitney Museum, NY, NY. Created by IGUANA Collaborative in association with GOH Productions for Art in Odd Places 2023: DRESS. October 13-15.