“When you have cremated your ego, your bird spirit will take flight. And the Holy Spirit itself will rush out, arms wide in welcome. ”
Birds, a ceremony
The Great Mystery, the Big Ocean, todo poderoso, the Beloved, the Almighty, el Creador, the Source, Allah, the Devine, God. In all languages and cultures there are words to name that great invisible world. Why look for something outside when you can find it within yourself?
A flock of birds set off in search of the chief bird Simorph. Their journey passes through seven valleys. The road is long and hard. Driven by fear of the unknown, one after the other fails. They long for unity, happiness and freedom but are constantly in conflict, most of all with themselves.
In BIRDS, a ceremony Rebecca Lenaerts goes on a journey with a group of ten kunstZ performers. Inspired by the sufi text 'Conference of the Birds' by the Persian poet Farid ad-Din Attar they go in search of the bird within themselves.
“To explore a form of performance art beyond display and representation. The audience witnesses and at the same time participates in a ceremony that heralds a transformation.”
CREDITS: Concept and direction Rebecca Lenaerts in collaboration with Tijen Lawton and Francisco Chino Manzano With Lara Groeneweg, Emmanuel Boakye, Evelien Van Jole, Yasir Hazim, Ester van Elewijck, Sim Heyrman, Celia Crahay, Marijke de Puydt, Roelie de Jaeger Production kunstZ Production management Nina Plantefève-Castryck Light design and technical support Louai Hashem With the support of the City of Antwerp, Flemish Community, Rooftoptiger. June 2022 @ Archipel Antwerp.
