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Samudra

2023

installation-performance

bags/ hand-embroidered 100% cotton fabric bags filled with spelt chaff 
tent/ 100% Vi-Bamboo fabric curtain dyed with Haematoxylum campechianum, purple maize, Arthrospira platensis, Indigofera tinctoria, Clitoria ternatea and Hydrangea
100% cotton ropes

sound 35’34”

Samudra is a multidisciplinary work that integrates dance, sound, light, and symbolism to honor the ocean and its vital role in sustaining life on Earth. The title, derived from the Sanskrit word for "ocean," evokes the image of a universal and enigmatic force—an entity that connects all life forms on the planet. The ocean is more than just a natural environment; it is a vast network that unites and embraces all living beings, serving as a profound symbol of interconnection. 
A large blue fabric, symbolizing the ocean, lies at the center of the stage. This fabric is not merely decorative; it breathes and moves like a living organism. Beneath it are twelve embroidered pouches—hidden treasures that bear the names of ecosystems and marine organisms essential to the ocean's health. Throughout the 35-minute performance, two dancers—a man and a woman—representing the duality and harmony of complementary forces interact with these pouches. Through fluid, evocative movements, they animate the vitality of each pouch. One by one, the pouches are tied to the blue fabric with knots, reflecting humanity's responsibility toward the ocean.
The performance culminates when the final pouch is secured to the fabric. At this moment, the ocean, initially still, transforms into a sanctuary. The blue expanse opens like a warm embrace, sheltering life beneath it—a vivid metaphor for a healthy ocean capable of nurturing all living beings. The dancers retreat beneath the blue fabric, inviting the audience to join them. In this act, the boundary between spectator and performer dissolves. Art and audience merge, erasing distinctions and uniting everyone in a single dance—a shared breath that connects humanity to the ocean.
An immersive soundscape and lighting design further enrich the sensory experience. These elements guide the audience from the bright, shimmering surface waters to the ocean's depths. The soundscape evokes the rhythm of the sea’s breath, while the lighting transitions from the brilliance of surface light to the dark stillness of the abyss, illuminated only by the faint glow of bioluminescent organisms.
Each pouch features a QR code providing access to educational materials developed in collaboration with marine biologist Francesca Pasotti. These resources go beyond scientific facts, inviting the public to discover the beauty and fragility of aquatic ecosystems.
At the end of the performance, the audience is encouraged to explore hidden narratives, learn the silent language of the sea, and hear its voice. This experience deepens each participant's understanding of a world that calls for attention, respect, and protection.

Click                   to learn more about the ocean.

Art project supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Brussels and presented during the Diciannovesima Giornata del Contemporaneo, organised by AMACI at the Foundation Volta XL in Brussels.

Samudra, performance at Fondation Volta XL (Brussels, BE)

performer: Alice Tagliaferri, Daniel Tosseghini

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