We are thrilled to announce our latest immersive experience, Rituals for Earthly Survival, premiering at the We Shine Portsmouth Festival this November. This project marks our third collaboration with the festival, following The Imaginarium of Dreams in 2021 and Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures in 2022. Once again, we are pushing the boundaries of immersive art to explore new ways of engaging with the world around us—this time focusing on the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.
At the heart of Rituals for Earthly Survival lies a deep collaboration with an extraordinary team of local artists, including Dr Lighthouse, Yumino Seki, Rusty Sheriff, Kim Balouch, and a myriad of other talented creators. Together, we have woven a sensory-rich tapestry that combines video, sound, movement, and light to create an otherworldly forest, where audiences will meet the “Children of the Compost”—guardians of the forest who speak for the dead and teach us how to live and die together well.
Our creative process has been rooted in the themes of entanglement, composting, and regeneration. By blending the Japanese art form of Butoh with contemporary audiovisual techniques, we aim to conjure a living, breathing forest that reflects both the beauty and fragility of our environment. The performance invites you to step into the unknown, experience a mystical journey, and consider your role within the web of life—how are we, as humans, entangled with the more-than-human world around us?
The project is more than just an artistic exploration; it’s a response to the pressing environmental challenges we face. The visual imagery, sounds, and performances draw from the realities of climate destruction, offering a space for reflection on our shared future. As you move through the forest, you’ll encounter echoes of the natural world’s collapse and renewal, inviting you to think deeply about your connection to the earth.
Now, we invite you to become part of the ritual.
Tickets are free, but spaces are limited. To ensure you don’t miss out on this unique experience, please reserve your spot through the link below. The experience will run for three nights, and entry is timed to maintain an intimate, immersive atmosphere.
Book your journey into the mystical forest now:
Join us as we step into the forest, listen to its stories, and explore the entanglement between life, death, and renewal. We can’t wait to see you there.
Sponsors & Partners
Rituals for Earthly Survival is supported by Lottery funding from Arts Council England with additional funding from Sasakawa Foundation and Japan Foundation.
Community partners include Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, Action Asylum, Portsmouth Tree Wardnes, Let’s Grow Together, John Pounds Community Garden.
