BIO

LasTesis is an interdisciplinary feminist collective formed in Valparaíso, a city along the Chilean coast. The four members of the collective are Daffne Valdés Vargas, Paula Cometa Stange, Lea Cáceres Díaz and Sibila Sotomayor Van Rysseghem. 

In their creative process, Daffne leads the staging, Lea works on costume creation, Sibila focuses on musical research, and Paula handles design as well as all handmade and digital collages. The interdisciplinary nature of the collective results in performances that are visual, sonic, and sensorial.

At the core of Las Tesis’ art is feminist theory. Their most shared performance “Un violador en tu camino” [A rapist in your path], which is cited in their 2021 manifesto “Quemar El Miedo” [Burning Fear], is based upon the works of Rita Segato and Virginie Despentes, two key feminist figures for the group. Even their name, which translates as ‘The Theses’, originates from the fact that a lot of their work is inspired by academic theory.”

“Their work seeks to hold into account state institutions that perpetuates violence, and became widely known in 2019 through the song “A Rapist in Your Path”, which resonated with women’s movements in the whole world and soon became an anthem for women’s rights.

In May 2020, LasTesis published a new song alongside the Russian feminist group Pussy Riot. The song denounces police violence against women in Latin America, reflecting on the raise of domestic violence levels since the start of the pandemic and the economic inequalities that are contributing to the deaths of thousands of workers who cannot access adequate living and health care.”

In September 2020 LasTesis launched Juntas Abortamos (Together we abort) in the frame of the Day of the struggle for the decriminalization and legalization of abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean. This is the piece that LasTesis selected to participate in the symposium.

Excerpt from https://shado-mag.com/all/how-chilean-performance-collective-las-tesis-is-growing-a-global-feminist-movement/
Excerpt from https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/organization/lastesis-collective