The initial inspiration of this project came from a Japanese calligraphy workshop that I participated a few months ago. We spoke about the idea of the void, which is strongly tied with Zen Buddhism. To write the word “void” is a challenge to the calligrapher because it has a lot to do with how the word is written instead of what is written.
Instead of using paintbrushes, I am relying on the performers’ bodies to transfer the paint onto the canvas. This project will be devised with the simple idea of “how” instead of “what”. I hope to leave a trace of existence on the canvas that this performance existed once. Like calligraphy, there are three stages of when the brush touches the canvas, creates a line or shape, and the brush leaving the canvas. It is like birth, life and death.
Moat premiered at the Studio Theatre, Central Saint Martins in May 2015.
Devised and designed by Jade Yung
Music by Femi Oyewole
Performed by Chloe Bishop | Lyndsey Jayne Covell | Jessica Simet | Sally Smithson
Supported by Staff of Central Saint Martins | Laurence Dollander | Kerry Huang | Louiseanne Wong.