APATHY: a horror genre
drowning. reckoning. bodies. choices.
This symbol of horror is not static, foreign, romantic or historic, but embodied.
In order for apathy to breathe, feel, think, move, it must do so through us.
We witness apathy. We foster apathy. And we become a host, a tool.
To lend your own breath to sustain such a beast? That is truly a genre of horror.
’APATHY: a horror genre’ is a collaboration between the artistic visions of Jahra Wasasala and Ooshcon (CONJAH).
The world of ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ is a dystopian limbo that holds five shape-shifting characters hostage/as host. Drawing references from sci-fi, comic narratives, horror films, human psychology (and a touch of Cluedo), ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ is a haunting, confronting and provocative exploration of power, accountability and the seduction of passivity.
A unique and unpredictable embodiment that centred cypher-based movement methods and character narrative in it’s development, ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ lives in-between physical theatre, a dance cypher and a horror film.
Filled with masterful performances, ‘APATHY': a horror genre’ is an evolving world of fractured creatures that exposes apathy as one of humanity’s biggest threats.
An excerpt of the work was first commissioned for performance by Footnote New Zealand Dance Company and was built in collaboration with the 2020-2021 dancers Nadiyah Akbar, Oliver Carruthers, Sebastian Geilings, Rose Taspell and Cheyanne Teka. The unique development process of building ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ was partly done on Zoom/internet during Aotearoa NZ’s lockdown of 2020, and partly done out of lockdown and in person. With guidance and sensitivity, CONJAH and the dancers found the stories and characters of ‘APATHY: a horror genre’ through a politically incendiary year.
‘APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt)’ was a part of Footnote NZ Dance Company’s national tour ‘The Movement’, which toured 16 performances to 14 venues nationwide in 2021.
This embodiment performance will be developed by CONJAH to full-length in the future.
Trailers: The Movement Tour
Footnote Dance NZ Dance Company’s trailer for ‘The Movement’ National Tour in 2021. Featuring ‘APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt)’ directed by Jahra Wasasala and Ooshcon.
Trailers courtesy of Footnote NZ Dance.
Responses to APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt):
“I literally felt in my body something I haven’t ever felt before. I felt a deepening of my understanding of [CONJAH’s] practices in embodiment through the gentle but profound facilitation of the dancers.”
— Rose Philpott, contemporary dance artist and choreographer (NZ)
“It was the strongest thing I’ve seen this year. Amazing work… It was so original and really powerful.”
— Alexa Wilson, performance artist (NZ)
“The last work APATHY: a horror genre [an excerpt], with artistic direction from Ooshcon and Jahra Wasasala, and collaboration from the five dancers, is an extraordinary work. This is like krump meets “Alien” with a dash of contemporary movement melded in, creating a powerful, dark, abstract narrative that explores apathy, aggression, concern and..the force, energy, power and potential danger of an intense tightly formed group. A scary and clever exploration of human social and individual behaviour and power play.”
— Tania Kopytko, Theatreview.org.nz
“[CONJAH’s] work on Footnote NZ Dance was illuminating to say the least. So much strength and conviction. I honestly just started crying because I was so engrossed by how amazing everyone was. You could see the support, and through that the dancers were able to tap into all of their capacity as performers in conjuring and augmenting these characters… Words don’t do it justice.”
— Max Burgess, contemporary dance artist (NZ)
2021 Aoteatoa NZ Performance Seasons
Porirura
1st May 2021 - Aotea College
Greymouth
6th May 2021 - Aotea College
Invercargill
13th May 2021 - James Harvest College
Timaru
19th May 2021 - Craighead Diocesan School
Hawke’s Bay
2nd june 2021 - Blyth Performing Arts Centre
Kāpiti
9th June 2021 - Te Raukura ki Kāpiti,
Māngere
15th & 16th June - Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Nelson
4th May 2021 - Nelson College
Wanaka
11th May 2021 - Lake Wanaka Centre
Dunedin
17th May 2021 - Otago Boys High School
Christchurch
21st May 2021 - Cashmere High School
Palmerston North
4th June - Freyberg High School
Wellington
12th & 13th June 2021 - Wellington Easts Girls College
Auckland Central
19th June 2021 - Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom Girls Grammar
André 3000’s ‘i feel ya’ exhibition at Mana Wynwood, Art Basel 2014
Heavy Metal Group, SlipKnoT
APATHY: a horror genre — Costume References
Pictured below — APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt)’s costume, text customised for Oliver Carruther’s character arc
Artwork by Shaquille Sydney
APATHY: a horror genre (an excerpt) —credits.
Show duration: 24mins
Artistic Direction
—Jahra Wasasala & Ooshcon (CONJAH)
Performers/Collaborators
—Nadiyah Akbar, Oliver Carruthers, Sebastian Geilings, Rose Taspell, Cheyanne Teka
Dramaturgy
—Kitty Wasasala
Music Designer
—Paloma Schneideman
—ABSURD TRAX
Costume Designer
—CONJAH
Lighting Designer
—Marcus McShane
Sound Operator
—Hãmi Hawkins
Originally commissioned by
—Footnote Dance NZ
Special Thanks to
—Anita Hunziker, Kerrin Burns, Richard Aindow