Synopsis

fl0wr@liå is a communal sound sculpture in the form of a maypole that was activated through an interactive, collective dance performance. This project is an exploration and reappropriation of the May rituals, questioning the Christian influence on the pagan tradition and thus queeryfing the maypole, breaking the patterns, and inviting an alternative narrative of communal rituals.

Crafted with conductive materials, it tells the participants’ unheard stories of sexuality, sensuality, pleasure, and intimacy. The materialisation of this instrument was co-created within the workshop program at iii in a tECkhnO*-crafting workshop where participants fabricated the ribbons and filled them with their own thoughts.

Throughout the duration of the exhibition, we held sessions inviting those who were open to weave their voices into the installation and thus transforming the interactive sculpture into a sonic archive of intimacy that could be listened to by the visitors.

 

Created by

sWitches (pamela varela, Ines DeRu, ella hebendanz)

 

Format

workshop, interactive installation, performance

 

Software

Ableton Live, Teensyduino

 

Media

poken word, electronic textiles (stretch sensor, Teensyduino, textiles), wooden and clay sculpture, stones

 

Credits

Concept, creation, technology sWitches (pamela varela, Ines DeRu, ella hebendanz)
Installation with georgina pantazopoulou
Sound and technology with Myra-Ida van der Veen
Workshop participants (co-creators) and performers Carlota Garcia, inaya bsau, georgina pantazopoulou, Sophia Bulgakova, Viktoria Arvayova, Veronika Matkovska, Nursinem Aslan, Christine Hvidt, Cherry Kim, Viktoria Nikolova, Ines Borovac, pamela varela, Ines DeRu, ella hebendanz
Drumming during performance by Camila Chebez

Special thanks to Yun Lee, iii, the NEST team, melanie bonajo, Orlando Maaike Gouwenberg, Erika Sprey, and KABK Wxtch Craft Studium Generale, touche-touche

 

Presented at

2022, every moment a junction” NEST, The Hague, NL

2022, Workshop at iii, The Hague, NL

 

Video Links

Trailer of the performance