A participative narration to (re)discover one the most influent stories of human history.

CRA’P presentations 2016

Saturday 21st May from 11h to 19:30

with Michael Gadish and Gisele Cornejo, directed by Maria Stoyanova

The event consists of a day dedicated to the narration of the universal epic from Indian origin named Ramāyana. The Ramāyana tells the story of two divine avatars, the lovers Sitā and Rāma, born on earth way before the beginning of history as we know it today. Sitā was kidnapped by a tyrannical being, and the story of her rescue talks about the deepest layers of reality. It tells us about the role of human being on earth.

The Ramāyana is a philosophical story, or a philosophy told in the form of a story. It is still a central referent for Indian and South-Asian culture in general, because it contains the distillation of a knowledge accumulated during centuries. The Ramāyana is a story for adults, and for kids, and for anyone who wants to continue to grow as a person, never mind how old he or she is.

Five different versions of the Ramāyana are being told. Each point of view is based on a parallel interpretation of the story, being each of them rooted in:

1. Poetics
2. Philosophy
3. Politics
4. Existencialism or mysticism
5. The symbolical and unconscious elements

Each version is based on real oral and literary sources, which means the event has at the time both artistic qualities and educational value.

The reading is prepared as if it were a trip, passing through the different layers of meaning that one can find in the Ramāyana. Next to the narrator, an actress does the role of master of ceremonies, taking care that the participants will submerge in a comfortable way in the story during the eight hours the the event last.

During the event tea and vegan food is offered, which are included in the price. Participants sit in a circle and there are stops to use the bathroom. The idea is that no one might feel the need to get out of the space because of hunger, thirst or discomfort. The audience is encouraged, during the event, to lie down, close the eyes eventually and feel comfortable in general, because part of the transmission of the Ramāyana occurs subconsciously.

This is not an exposition about the Ramāyana, or a long conference, but the combination of a research on the Ramāyana with a performance arts format, in which the public has both the time to write notes and participate with its commentaries and relax and dream and allow itself to be carried by the more hypnotic part of the experience, that part which allows the inner experience that the Ramāyana offers.

Gisele Cornejo and Michael Gadish met in the atelier escénico Stoyanova, where the base of this narration/performance was developed, under the direction of María Stoyanova.

Michael Gadish Bonàs starts from an early interest in the origin of human language and the ways in which this one defines and constructs reality, to combine research of language, mythology and religion with art. He combines studies of Hebrew and Sanskrit with works in dramaturgy for theater, dance and performance. He collaborates with the therapeutic yoga academy Yoga Terapéutico Academy and imparts lectures on mythology which combines divulgation with storytelling.

Gisele Diana Cornejo combines theater with a vocation for philosophy and specifically philosophy of practical religion. Her search has led her to social theater and in her work she researches the limits between theater, performance and the role of tarot symbolism in the construction of western identity (gender, political and psychological identity). She performs regularly between Barcelona and Buenos Aires, as a singer and performance artist.

The length of the event is 8h30 and is structured in two parts:

11.00-14.00 A poetic and philosophical reading of the Ramāyana
15.00-19.30 A political, existential or mystical and symbolic and unconscious reading

For those who choose to enjoy the full version of the event, vegan food will be served, included in the price. There is also the option of attending one of the two parts. In this case, those who are interested in the afternoon session, are requested  to arrive half an hour earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: CRA’P