Nez Noir

In Nez Noir, Estelle, who grew up in Valais between Sion and Savièse, offers an original, decolonial cartographic performance of Valais. Balancing on her tightrope, she knits and untangles the threads of her identity and her connection to the region.

After participating in the creation of two shows tackling systemic and interpersonal racism (Carte Noire Nommée Désir by La Cie Dans le Ventre de Rebecca Chaillon and Gnoko Bok with La Cie Cirqu’en Choc), the desire to explore this intimate and political theme in another form (there can never be too much of it!) was born thanks to an invitation from the LAC Léman-Architecture-Connexion collective to perform a carte blanche in Valais.

Between the celebration in 2024 of the centenary of James Baldwin’s birth, his visit to Leukerbad, and the tribute work by artist Sasha Huber, there was plenty to bring the memory of Baldwin’s stay in Valais to a wider audience.

Drawing on texts from a literary essay currently in progress, her circus training, and her modest performance experience, Estelle’s Nez Noir is a highly free-form, radically intimate work that is emblematic of her practice.

Warning: Certain scenes and comments in the show may upset/trigger victims of racism, especially black people.

Note on intent

To untangle myself from my past. To unravel the threads of my mixed identity, both literally and figuratively. To play with words, to knit apart the image of Switzerland as a country with nothing to reproach itself for. To thumb my nose at the Swiss People’s far right Party and at prejudices. To embrace, with humor, the animal nature in which I have often been confined. Bleating my anger to anyone who will listen. Dancing on the borders of narrow minds. Settling my score with Valais, this region engraved in my heart, whose Nez Noir de Rouvinez wine is my favorite. Promoting the Nez Noir sheep breed for free, sheep that, unlike those on the SVP (far right party) posters, are our pride and joy. Reminding people that being born black is not a flaw, but that we are still made to pay for it. Taking back power and, like Maya Angelou, always rising up. Rising up and walking with my head held high. And while I’m at it, on stilts…

Estelle Samira Borel

Distribution

Performance, writing, and direction: Estelle Samira Borel

Sound engineering: Bastien Alvarez

Sound collaboration: Rachel Morend

Costumes: Sylvain Vawrant

Set desing: Estelle Samira Borel

Création

Concept and first carte blanche
2024: LAC Léman Architectures Connexions, Bois de Finges, Valais

Second residency and public test
2025: Festival BDIQ Espace EEEEH!, Nyon

Creative residencies
May 2026: Pro Helvetia residency at SPOT, Sion
May 2026: Pro Helvetia residency at Station Zirkus, Basel
July 2026: Residency at Le Far, Nyon