Tea And: DAMN!

What is the distance between a light bulb and the place that generates the energy that powers it?

DAMN! is a site-responsive performance that, starting from a glass of water, travels upstream towards the mountains, all the way to the large hydroelectric dams of the Alta Valle Seriana.

In a trilingual narrative, where anecdotes and metaphors intertwine, the lack of translation seems to create gaps. But how can we claim to understand everything where ecology, bodies, promises and economic investments overlap?

Navigating the complexity of energy interests and the contradictions of renewable energy policies, often based on the indisputable demand of unlimited yet “sustainable” consumption, DAMN! is an attempt to bridge the gap between energy production and the final act of its use… even if just for the duration of a song!

Tea And works with performance, storytelling, long-term processes and participatory practices to foster spaces of shared responsibility and experiment with collective processes. Since 2020, the themes of her research have drawn on the socio-political context of the Alta Valle Seriana, in the Orobic Alps, where she has returned to live. Tea And has presented her work in various contexts, including Baltic Circle, ANTI-Contemporary Art Festival, Festival ORLANDO, Periferico Festival, Barents Spektakel and Mòzg Festival. Her practice has developed within the framework of studies in Feminist Leadership, an MA in Live Art and Performance Studies (Uniarts Helsinki) and a diploma in hydro-sommelier (ADAM).

Credits

Concept and direction: Tea And
with: Tea And, Daniela Pascual Esparza, Daniel Bongioanni
Co-dramaturg: Fjolla Hoxha
In dialogue with: Juni Klein, Isterika Istorika collective, and Sanna Ritvanen
Text: Tea And, drawing on the experiences of those who live in the Alta Valle Seriana, reading the writings of Darina Petrova, T, Eliane Brum, and in conversation with Fjolla Hoxha, Daniela Pascual Esparza, and Daniel Bongioanni
Costume: Anna Gaiti, ribellab
Music: Pol & mucchearrosto
Organization: Marta Fava
Administrative support: i dolci
A co-production by Scuola Piccola Zattere, CNAREP LE CITRON JAUNE – Centre National des Arts de la Rue et de l'Espace Public, Santarcangelo Festival

Supported by Taike Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Italian Cultural Institute of São Paulo within the project LANDING hosted by Corpo Rastreado - Casa Farofa, and the network R.O.M (Residencies On the Move) at Théâtre l’Aire Libre at the invitation of Santarcangelo Festival. R.O.M is supported by the European Union in the framework of the programme Creative Europe, Conseil des arts de Montréal and Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.