Bird of Passage is a hybrid solo performance, spoken word text and digital installation. The project references an indigenous experience of neurodiversity, exploring Mate Hūkiki - epilepsy. The conceptual and performative foundation of the work draws on reflections of a lifelong relationship with epilepsy, how daily seizures forged a transformational body and released my imagination. Living with epilepsy contributed to my research into indigenous perspectives of the soma, body dichotomy and how trauma, healing and ceremony functions in the creation of cultural space and why indigenous bodies occupy and inhabit this space.
The foundation of the work is a performance text titled Bird of Passage, a poetic exploration written in the manner of ngā mōteatea, including indigenous symbolism and imagery. The initial work undertaken for Bird of Passage, emphasises two experimental research approaches focussing on installation design and performance improvisation. New development approaches will open movement and voice material for improvisational performance, specific design treatment of digital content and create adaptable installation approaches for live and virtual spaces. The research emphasised performative memories and transformations, primarily as a series of live performances and hybrid works for digital display platforms, exploring the liberation of trauma, seizure recollection and health recovery.
The foundation of the work is a performance text titled Bird of Passage, a poetic exploration written in the manner of ngā mōteatea, including indigenous symbolism and imagery. The initial work undertaken for Bird of Passage, emphasises two experimental research approaches focussing on installation design and performance improvisation. New development approaches will open movement and voice material for improvisational performance, specific design treatment of digital content and create adaptable installation approaches for live and virtual spaces. The research emphasised performative memories and transformations, primarily as a series of live performances and hybrid works for digital display platforms, exploring the liberation of trauma, seizure recollection and health recovery.
Winter dialogue of Matā and Pounamu | Performance Arcade 2023 Performance Development | Sarasa Performance Lab 2023
