Solo

Duration: 50min
Premiered on 13-14 May 2022 at Rich Mix – London

From the award winning director of ĐẸP
“throughout ĐẸP, I am on the edge of my seat.” The Guardian
★★★★ The Observer

Concept: Dam Van Huynh
Choreography: Dam Van Huynh in collaboration with Tommaso Petrolo
Performance: Tommaso Petrolo
Composer: Ian Tang
Lighting Design: Patricia Roldán Polo
Costume Design: Emma Lyth
Sound Engineer: Michael Picknett
Photography: Rocio Chacon
Texts by Walt Whitman, Audre Lorde, Pussy Riot, Alok Vaid-Menon (ALOK), Henry David Thoreau

In Realness is an artistic collage of sounds, collected texts, and movement references which stand in resistance of the status quo. Dam Van Huynh, as a queer Vietnamese artist, raises his voice and opposes stereotypes of Asians as being quiet and internal. He embodies through his piece a dissent from prejudices and inequality and its effects on our society.

Desmond Tutu said ‘if you are neutral in the face of injustice, you are on the side of the oppressor’. Remembering such words lifts us out of silence and stirs up collective activism and collective care. Individual voices, brought together, create a body of resistance against oppressive norms and behaviours, amplifying our resilience, building unity and communicative power.

Supported by Centre 151

 

“An exploration of resistance, queer sexuality, and gender politics performed with impressive range and energy by Tommaso Petrolo” Seeing Dance

“a highly captivating, emotional and explicit work that challenges how we situate ourselves within(out) our society.” Dance Art Journal

“The voice is a physical organ that sits somewhere between mind and body; Van Huynh choreographs for both with such force that Petrolo’s performance is exhausting and uplifting at the same time (…)” Writing about dance

“As a queer Vietnamese artist, I began the work commenting on gender politics and sexuality but as the work developed it became a larger symbol for inequality experienced by many other groups. I reflected further upon this with the understanding that gathering voices through the piece is to acknowledge the importance of strength in unity when faced with inequality.” Interview with Dam Van Huynh in  Run Riot

Upcoming performances: In Realness

Previous dates:
13-14 May 2022 – Rich Mix – London
12 March 2023 – UfaFabrik – Berlin, Germany
20 May 2023 – Nonsuch Studios – Nottingham

Production pictures by Holly Revell