Agonizing was a performance piece held at Plaza San Francisco in Quito’s Historic Center. A metro station was slated for construction in one section of the plaza, an intervention that would affect an area originally built between 1534 and 1680. The performance involved a ritual cleansing of the site slated for development, as well as an act of protest. The action utilized an object known as "Bed" (*Cama*), along with live hens and other items. The performance unfolded as follows:

1) We arrived at the plaza and set up the "Bed" object—which contained a cage with three hens—in a corner. Performer Angélica Alomoto, dressed as a hospital patient, lay down on the bed. The lead performer also wore hospital attire, while the other participants wore red t-shirts.

2) A cleansing ritual was performed on the patient lying on the bed; she was then carried around the plaza before being placed on the ground.

3) Two actions took place during this third phase: first, the performers removed the hens from the cage and wrapped them in cloth to cleanse the area. Subsequently, Angélica Alomoto performed a cleansing ritual using the hens—a practice rooted in Indigenous tradition.

4) Complications arose during the performance when a public official objected, arguing that the event was not permitted.

5) Finally, we transported the object to Plaza de la Independencia, the site of the Government Palace. There, we concluded the action by displaying a sign protesting the construction of the metro station.

Performers: Damián Toro, Angélica Alomoto, Gabriel Arroyo, Edison Cáceres
Filming: Audiovisuales Don Bosco
Photography: Danilo Vallejo