“Gravebirth” is a unique performance merging diverse artistic elements to present parallel narratives of social oppression and the spirit of humanity.

The performance features the poetic text “Zendegi (life)” by contemporary Iranian poet Erfan Nazar Ahari, as interpreted by Nasim Khorassani, alongside the novel “Silence” by Syusaku Endo, brought to performative art by Kosuke Matsuda. While rooted in different historical contexts, these texts converge to depict struggles against oppression and the exploration for freedom.

“Gravebirth” intertwines sound, dance, and visual images, including light and projection, to weave a narrative that resonates with the ongoing Woman-Life-Freedom movement in Iran. The sonic landscape includes sampled folksong, noise, drone, and silence, creating a rich tapestry that encompasses both performers and audience members.

Director Kosuke Matsuda, choreographer and lighting designer Elba Emicente Sanchez, and composers/sound designers Janet Sit, Kevin Schwenkler and Timothy Gmeiner, alongside visual designers/video editors Mingyong Cheng and Nasim Khorassani, have crafted a performance that transcends boundaries, aiming to redefine the essence of humanity in the face of hardship. confront social oppression. Referencing “Zendegi (Life)” by contemporary Iranian woman poet Erfan Nazar Ahari and the novel “Silence” by Japanese author Syusaku Endo, Gravebirth aims to create a hopeful and optimistic expression of solidarity for people struggling for freedom.