Like an intimate devotion, Oh Mother explores our (forgotten) interconnectedness with nature -> Mother Earth. Inspired by themes of separation and reconnecting, destroying and transformation, it draws a parallel between our care for ourselves and care for the planet.
A conversation with the Earth inevitably becomes a conversation with myself.
Working closely with a soundscape to inspire movement, Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater fills the space; parts in its original form and parts decomposed. This in collaboration with composer Simon Goff who also will create new compositions as a response to Stabat Mater. Stabat Mater is a Latin hymn about Mary’s suffering as Jesus’ mother during his crucifixion.
My own written texts were transformed into original spoken word, performed live by myself as well as recorded by my sister Ishtar Bakhtali (vocalist, composer).
Oh Mother is my first longer solo work which premiered at Schwankhalle Bremen, in the beginning of July 2022. The project was funded by the Senator for Culture Bremen and supported by DIEHL+RITTER/TANZPAKT RECONNECT, funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of the initiative NEUSTART KULTUR. Assistance Program for Dance.
Oh Mother is Co-produced by steptext dance project.
Part of the creation process happened at Lake Studios Berlin.
Picture up by Eva van 't Loo ©
Picture below by Marianne Menke ©