This is an introspective talk on the second part of my 2016 trilogy. The starting point of this performance was the Iranian dramatic storytelling, Naqqali in which the performer recounts stories in verse, prose, gestures, and movement. Seven plants would join forces from seven corners of Iran and infuse into an elixir of togetherness. The piece traveled through 10 different cities around the world between 2017 and 2020, the last one being a cancelled performance, planned for March 2020 in Lisbon. Over 4 years later, I have made a decision not to perform Damnoosh anymore and in this talk, I will take you through the memory of the piece, share my reasons for the said decision and spill some tea. This is not a mourning.

Nargess in progress
Performance by Sina Saberi

Basis for being نرگس is the title of the final chapter of my 2016 trilogy which started with Prelude,
progressed with Damnoosh, and which recently actualized as Narges. This piece is inspired by a research process that began in 2014, and after one decade, took its present form.
Taking the context of the Iranian house party [Mehmooni], the audience observes a journey of self-exploration through moving images of a past that is no longer personal or present. The piece was developed between 2017 and 2020 and was supposed to premiere in early 2021 in Hamburg. However, destiny had different plans and due to a 3-year interruption, it finally premiered 2 weeks ago at Kampnagel.
In this lecture performance, I share how a solo piece turned into an artistic process joined by 8 other artists and how the halt became a determining factor in its conception. One of these artists and my collaborator/friend, Bita Bell will be joining me for this conversation.

BIO
Sina Saberi

Sina Saberi is a performer, choreographer, and cultural manager from Tehran, based in Hamburg. His practice and research are inspired by his cultural background and revolve around the idea of dance as an alternate state of being. Where can the personal and the public connect and ultimately arrive to a point of togetherness? This is reflected in his trilogy Prelude, Damnoosh & Narges which he has been sharing internationally since 2016. Sina has been actively involved within the Iranian dance community since 2014 and is the founder of Kahkeshan Dance; an indeterminate space for choreographic creations and dance outreach.

Image credits: Sina Saberi