Shattered Walls, Fractured Identities: Exploring Motherhood and Absence in Performance Poetry
Location
FA-160a
Department
English
Abstract
This critical-creative project delves into the complex entanglement of identity, cultural heritage, and the void left by absent maternal figures. Through a compelling blend of performance poetry and visual elements, it excavates the emotional complexities of navigating selfhood when grappling with a mother's absence. The centerpiece of the project is a collaborative performance piece. Separated by a symbolic cardboard wall, the performers engage in a dialogue that transcends the emotional void. As the piece progresses, the wall crumbles, mirroring the breakdown of emotional barriers and the gradual unveiling of shared experiences. This act of dismantling the wall emphasizes the journey toward understanding and acceptance, even amidst the pain of loss. Further exploration unfolds through two individual poems focusing on motherhood. One poem titled “Wet Grass, They Said” grapples with the ever-present yet unfulfilled yearning for a maternal connection after death, poignantly expressed through the projected image of an aunt reading the mother's letter in a dead language. This visual backdrop serves as a constant reminder of the physical absence while highlighting the enduring presence of the mother's words. The second poem by the second reader delves into topics of maternal absence through mental illness and addiction, as well as the search for replacement figures in surrounding relationships and culture. The poem is accompanied by a singular collage-based image projected over the reader of all times, and the poem will end with a voice memo from the reader's abuela. By weaving together performance, poetry, and evocative visuals, this project offers a multifaceted exploration of identity, loss, and the enduring complexities of mother-daughter relationships. It resonates with the universal human experience of searching for belonging and understanding oneself in the face of absence, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
Faculty Sponsor
Olivia Cronk
Shattered Walls, Fractured Identities: Exploring Motherhood and Absence in Performance Poetry
FA-160a
This critical-creative project delves into the complex entanglement of identity, cultural heritage, and the void left by absent maternal figures. Through a compelling blend of performance poetry and visual elements, it excavates the emotional complexities of navigating selfhood when grappling with a mother's absence. The centerpiece of the project is a collaborative performance piece. Separated by a symbolic cardboard wall, the performers engage in a dialogue that transcends the emotional void. As the piece progresses, the wall crumbles, mirroring the breakdown of emotional barriers and the gradual unveiling of shared experiences. This act of dismantling the wall emphasizes the journey toward understanding and acceptance, even amidst the pain of loss. Further exploration unfolds through two individual poems focusing on motherhood. One poem titled “Wet Grass, They Said” grapples with the ever-present yet unfulfilled yearning for a maternal connection after death, poignantly expressed through the projected image of an aunt reading the mother's letter in a dead language. This visual backdrop serves as a constant reminder of the physical absence while highlighting the enduring presence of the mother's words. The second poem by the second reader delves into topics of maternal absence through mental illness and addiction, as well as the search for replacement figures in surrounding relationships and culture. The poem is accompanied by a singular collage-based image projected over the reader of all times, and the poem will end with a voice memo from the reader's abuela. By weaving together performance, poetry, and evocative visuals, this project offers a multifaceted exploration of identity, loss, and the enduring complexities of mother-daughter relationships. It resonates with the universal human experience of searching for belonging and understanding oneself in the face of absence, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.