Fri 29 September 2023
Reset — Stage — 21:30
Ovid’s Metamorphosis contains the story of Philomela, who is raped by a Thracian King, Tereus, who then cuts out her tongue to suppress her speech. Philomela proceeds to weave a tapestry depicting the act, thus exposing Tereus before she is transformed into a nightingale: a songbird capable of beautiful melody.
Warning: this performance evoques explicit self-harm and could be triggering or disturbing to some audiences.
Callie Rose Petal
IF ONLY HANDS COULD SPEAK — Scotland/United Kingdom — 2022 — 15'
Ovid’s Metamorphosis contains the story of Philomela, who is raped by a Thracian King, Tereus, who then cuts out her tongue to suppress her speech. Philomela proceeds to weave a tapestry depicting the act, thus exposing Tereus before she is transformed into a nightingale: a songbird capable of beautiful melody. In this way, Philomela overcomes her censorship through creative practice, and manages to break through the boundaries placed upon her by her oppressor. The artist Callie Rose Petal delivers a multidisciplinary performance-as-ritual, evoking the severance of her own tongue and live painting using stage blood with the paintbrush of her naked transfeminine body, expressing what it has meant for her to overcome her own abuse and sexual trauma, severing all which can no longer serve her.
Warning: this performance evoques explicit self-harm and could be triggering or disturbing to some audiences.
