ODO

In ODO, Wensley Piqué portrays his encounter with a community deep in the interior of Suriname through models, an overhead projector, sand art, live cinema, and immersive soundscapes. In the Amazon, these people not only live in nature but also live with nature. The communities draw from the powers of the jungle and have a deep connection with it. They listen to their life guides: the 'spirits' of their ancestors. They believe that everything originates from a single energetic source that connects all things. To experience this profound bond, Wensley traveled to the village of Pikin Slee on Saramaccan territory. The images Wensley creates are filmed live and projected in various ways: over the body of the performer, the audience, onto objects, and walls. The use of shadow play, different light sources, and soundscapes enhances this experience, bridging the tangible and the intangible. Wensley Piqué previously created Granm’ma, a puppet show tribute to his grandmother, praised by both press and audience. As a creator, he uses his own experiences to tell stories of the African diaspora, with puppetry as one of his main disciplines. Credits Director & performer: Wensley Piqué Singing & performance: Damani Leidsman (Mushroom Mosis) Film: Ava Meijer Text: Emma Lesuis, Tolin Alexander Voice-over: Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld Composition: Marlon Penn Scenography: Eddy van der Laan, Yannick Verweij Lighting design: Bernd Wouthuysen Puppet maker: Matt Jackson Dramaturgy: Javier López Piñón Technical: Maarten Hietbrink Production: Annelies Hendrikse, Channa Begbie, Ann Hermelijn Assistant director: Rachel Besemer ODO is a co-production of Dawn Collective, Theater Bellevue & Theater a/d Rijn (affiliated with De Nieuwe Oost). With thanks to Gert van der Vijver and Hotel Modern Photography: Sjoerd Derine