What have we done for you?, is a performance where we observe a soldier dressed in camouflage uniform gradually washing the feet of an invisible entity. This gesture continues with a switch of positions, whereby the soldier’s feet are now being washed by an unseen individual. These rituals alternate, from the washer to the washed, on either sides of the bench. The performance then gradually progresses into a series of spontaneous and peculiar actions. Here the soldier is seen interacting with his leather shoes and socks, enamel wash basins and jugs along with water, towels, soaps, saucers and a wooden bench. These unusual gesticulations with varied objects question political dominance and subservience, self and the other.

This performance is developed from Baptist Coelho’s previous performance, “What have I done to you?”, 2011. It was inspired by a First World War photograph, in which an Indian soldier washes his feet as a German sentry observes him at the Prisoner of War (POW) Camp in Wünsdorf, Germany. On 16^th February 2018, What have we done for you?, was first realised as part of a group exhibition’s programme, Mémoires des Futurs Modernités Indiennes at Gallery 0, Centre Pompidou, Paris. The exhibition was curated by Catherine David and the performance was produced and facilitated by Centre Pompidou.