This April the Uneasy Listening duo were thrilled to have a residency at the inspiring Kimonos Art Center in Pafos. By suggestion of the Culture Capital Pafos 2017 we were to explore the old Turkish area of Mouttalos, which currently is undergoing serious renovation. The task of making a sound piece about a place with such a complex embedded history proved to be a challenge – it’s easy to fall into dramatic traps about war and refugees – and in doing so fall for artistic clichés. We ended up relating to the quiet of this area that seemed to evolve into a melancholic silence after spending time there. The four artists running Kimonos artistic heaven were amazing hosts, and organised a very honest and moving presentation of our work on April 11th. The response was very fruitful, and the piece is something we are keen to develop.
An Odyssey with Lydia
This year I’ve been asked by the progressive and internationally minded Teater Republique in Copenhagen to assist talented, Berlin-based director; Lydia Bunk in putting together a text for her version of The Odyssey! Homer’s amazing epic is as relevant as ever, as we explore the role of the soldiers returning from war. Today, in the last century or 2000 years ago – it’s a long and perilous journey to free yourself of the horrors and really arrive home.
From my particular position in the world – partly living on the divided island of Cyprus – this is a great and exciting challenge. Very happy to be part of this project!
That uneasy feeling…
Such joy to already be celebrating the 1st year of the Uneasy Listening Society with my artistic partner, Thomas Burø, and the great company board. It’s been a busy year, where we have developed connections to new, interesting partners – and started two major projects: Normal Cake, Please – a site-specific reunion performance of the Baltic Eurotrashers Angela, Leo and Viersturs (supported by Culture Point North), and the launch of our new festival; UPS! – an artistic, scientific and philosophical exploration of failures and f*ck-ups (supported by Statens Kunstfond) – of which I’m artistic director. Great prospects for 2017 and beyond…
Be your own Christmas tree
The wonderful Finnish performance artist Pilvi Porkola sent out an invitation to artists to create a performance for Christmas. And who can resist becoming a Christmas tree? The audience was limited – my 19 year old son and the flora and fauna of our Cyprus beach home… but the feeling was great and the baubles very sparkly.
With this little image I hope that 2017 will be more playful, loving, silly, magical, sunny and inspiring for all who embrace it.
Happy New Year.
Singapore musings
Different winds blew me to Singapore this summer – and it’s been such a mind-blowing experience. So many impressions, questions arise in this city where complete multiculturalism was part of the founder’s central ambition.
One of the foremost reasons for this visit was to experience the Singapore International Arts Festival curated by a generous and talented friend – Ong Keng Sen. Multiple brave and beautiful impressions. As part of the Kula Ring artistic exchange project I had the privilege of attending a cook-in by Malay artist Roslisham Ismail and was happy to encounter a fellow ‘beachcomber’ in artist Renata de Bonis, who exhibited beach finds from Cadoso Island in Brazil.
Festival Diaries
Had the distinct pleasure of participating in the Geopark Festival 2016 with the Uneasy Listening Society project; Sound Diaries. We created sound works each day based on a topic inspired by the festival. Thomas applies a philosophical perspective, and I comment with an artistic angle. It’s accessible and dynamic – and adds a different dimension to the festival programme… And it’s fun too!
Supported by Geopark Festival 2016
Let them have Cake
Spent an inspiring week in Riga, Latvia in the brilliant company of writer/ performers Ivo Briedis and Janne Saarakkala to devise the concept for a new performance scheduled to premier in 2018. We are reviving 3 characters from the 2008 show In the Nude – who will unite around a special celebration.
Other exciting connections include the progressive St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Riga, a representative of the LGBT community and the Ara Dance Company.
Can’t wait for the next workshop!
Supported by Kultur Kontakt Nord.
