Closing Event G/D THYSELF: Spirit Strategy On Raising Free Black Children
22 August 2020 17:00 - 20:15
Closing Event G/D THYSELF: Spirit Strategy On Raising Free Black Children with performances by Gavin-Viano, Joya Mooi, The Yannick Hiwat Trio and Nash Caldera
Join us on Saturday 22 August for an evening of performances as part of the closing event for the installation, G/D THYSELF: Spirit Strategy On Raising Free Black Children, by international artists' collective The Ummah Chroma.
The Ummah Chroma's installation in Het Nieuwe Instituut, inspired by the collective's short film AS TOLD TO G/D THYSELF (2019), aims to provide a sacred space, inviting visitors to explore themes of metaphysical transcendence, spirituality and self-expression.
After several months offering room for reflection to various makers, visitors and audiences, the installation closes with a special event at Het Nieuwe Instituut.
Programme
In the evening, the installation in Gallery 1 closes with a series of dance and music performances, with the guidance of presenter and moderator Mahutin Awunou. Invited to contribute the final event in the series Live by G/D THYSELF: Open Podium, the platform for new makers, IMPACT, presents a special performance by Gavin-Viano in the installation itself. Gavin Sings Viano is the performative monologue about Gavin's view on the different shapes of love and the rituals that come with love. The performance is conducted and composed by classical piano player Joachim Henriëtta.
Musician Joya Mooi and her band will perform an intimate set in the installation. Mooi's music focuses on themes including identity, escapism and freedom, especially in her latest album, The Ease of Others.
The Yannick Hiwat Trio closes the music programme, with Rotterdam-based composer Yannick Hiwat on violin, Bill Scott Mookhoek on bass guitar and Alexander van Popta on keys. In recent years, Hiwat has performed at major Dutch and international events with his unique sound, which combines classical music with hip hop, soul and jazz.
To round the evening off, guests are invited to attend a closing ritual with a water blessing. Artist and performer Nash Caldera will perform the ritual.
The programme can be enjoyed via Het Nieuwe Instituut Online.
Time slots:
- 17:00 - 17:40: Performative monologue Gavin-Viano
- 18:00 - 18.40: Performance Joya Mooi
- 19:00 - 19:40: Performance Yannick Hiwat
- 19:40 - 20:00: Water blessing Nash Caldera
Joya Mooi
Joya Mooi is a singer whose broad musical background ranges from traditional jazz to hip hop and soul. All these styles are intertwined on her album The Ease Of Others. With her South African roots, she provides an insight into the experiences of a new generation of the African diaspora, addressing themes such as escapism, grief and identity. She recently released the singles _Hold You Tight _and Bitter Parts in the run-up to her EP, which will be released this year.
Joya Mooi's performance is made possible in part by The Performing Arts Fund NL.
Gavin-Viano
Performer and director Gavin-Viano graduated from the Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts. His productions Melanie Ten Strengste Verboden and A Plastic State of Mind have been staged at Theater Rotterdam, De Parade, Islemunda and Bijlmer Parktheater, among other venues. With his most recent piece, A Plastic State of Mind, Gavin-Viano takes the audience further on his mission: to stage theatre that is anti the white male gaze. As he says, "Theatre is for everyone, regardless of colour, race, creed, age, social class, background, gender, education and sexual orientation."
Yannick Hiwat
Yannick started his relationship with the violin at just six years old. Musically nurtured by playing in church, he made his recital debut aged nine and started touring internationally at 13. Yannick Hiwat isn't limited to a single genre, having studied both jazz and classical music. He has played with artists and ensembles including Snarky Puppy, Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah, Chineke! Orchestra and Pete Rock. He has been artist in residence for Rotterdam's De Doelen and the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
He is a permanent member of the Soulful Congregation and the bandleader of his own quintet. His evocative playing takes listeners on a journey, telling stories for which he draws on his unique instrument collection, which includes the world's only seven-string mezzo violin.
IMPACT
IMPACT is a platform for a new generation of creative makers with professional ambitions, helping them to develop their skills both in front of an audience and behind the scenes. Based in Rotterdam South, IMPACT offers work and presentation space and customised coaching, producing new work and connecting makers with the professional field. IMPACT collaborates with a new generation of makers to develop new narratives and versatile perspectives in the performing arts and (new) media.
IMPACT is made possible in part by the City of Rotterdam and Islemunda, Podium van IJsselmonde.
Nash Caldera
Nash Caldera is a visual and performance artist. Born in Willemstad, Curaçao, she works with photography, video, installation and performance to explore her identity as a Black queer woman. As part of this, she touches on the subjects of colonialism and spirituality and how these play a role in our lives in our own post-colonial era. In doing so, she tries to create both a safe space and meditative mental space for herself, and experiences that teach her about herself in relation to her culture.
Religion, especially the Afro-Caribbean religion Santería, is visually very present in her work, which also incorporates the superstitions she grew up with. Recently, she started exploring languages, and how these translate in her mind through thoughts. She tries to translate her feelings into experiences so others can be emotionally triggered. Performance art, photography, installation, collage and video are her media of choice.