Behind the Scenes of the future
About open rehearsals, being a digital gardener, being anxious, and more.
It's been an incredibly immersive and thought-provoking month and I’m a bit late with this newsletter, so, let's dive into the exciting world of world-building, mood boards, and performances straight away!
Just recently, we wrapped up an intense 10-day rehearsal period with our dedicated team from London and Amsterdam. I also met the production team and I couldn’t be happier to have such people by my side. As we all gathered, the air was thick with anticipation. We understood the immense effort we’d poured into this project, and the pressure was palpable. We spent time getting to know each other without overthinking, which brought a much-needed sense of ease. It was nothing short of magical, and to top it off, we decided to open our villa to the public for two days. We were curious to see how it would all unfold and how this decision would resonate with our visitors. Here are just a few feedback from the sessions:
This project not only showcases the immense talent of everyone involved but also reflects the unwavering commitment to creating art that resonates with people on a profound level. I believe this project has the power to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on anyone who experiences it.
or:
This project is a beautiful blend of art and a reminder of environmental issues we currently struggle with. The artistic approach makes it incredibly unique and therefore leaves you with an ambivalent feeling of beautiful pleasure and questioning the choices you make. Art meets a hopeful change!
I’m extremely grateful to whoever came to see the rehearsals with an open mind. Nothing is for granted!
I recently stumbled upon a quote that's been playing on my mind: "Writer and reader collaborate in world-making." It speaks to the collaborative nature of creating fantastical worlds. It's a constant back-and-forth, a dance between creators and visitors, as they shape the meanings, roles, and narratives of these alternate universes. The audience doesn't just consume the fiction; they become co-creators, influencing the evolution of these imagined realms. And during our open rehearsals, something incredible happened. Our visitors, our fellow dreamers, became co-creators, infusing their interpretations and instincts into our performance. They made it their own, aligning it with the lyrics and themes that spoke to them most.
I recently delved into the concept of world builders, categorizing them as "architects" and "gardeners." Architects lean towards well-defined, structured narratives, relying heavily on detailed planning. On the other hand, gardeners allow the world they're crafting to guide them, embracing spontaneity, welcoming unexpected influences, and welcoming sudden insights. I couldn't be happier to find myself representing both of these worlds with “Fluttering Colours” and “Ephemeral Echoes” allowing for a delicate balance between structure and spontaneity in our creative process.
In today's digital age, no one just wants to be a passive spectator. The digital space, and for us, the stage, has to be a fertile ground, one that's malleable enough for us to share and experiment with our half-formed, yet promising ideas. This concept beautifully aligns with the idea of digital gardens, where we curate our corner of the internet, where various web imaginaries combine to construct holistic subworlds. This, my dear friends, is what we aspire to achieve with BSP performances.
For a closer look into our journey, you can hop over to my Instagram, where I've been sharing daily updates, accompanied by some heartwarming images of our team coming together day by day.
The past decade was about flooding the digital world with as much information as possible. The current challenge is to weave all that information together, creating a coherent tapestry that helps people make sense of it all. Sense-making is a collaborative process, a dance between creators and audiences, just as we've experienced in our open rehearsals.
As we prepare for our upcoming shows, we're driven by a simple but profound concept. A mood board is an idea, but a world? A world is a place that engages all your senses. Have you ever wondered how a place smells, what sounds fill the air, or how it feels when you touch it? A world is not static; it's alive, teeming with sensations and emotions. Our aim isn't merely escapism into a fantasy world or the creation of imaginary friends. It's about equipping ourselves with new tools to navigate a reality that seems increasingly transient, where the lines between reality and fiction blur every day.
In the days ahead, I'm gearing up to lead a Liquid Sounds workshop this Sunday, and teaching a group of Polish artists how to express themselves through paint. I'll also need to recommit to my workout routine and healthy eating habits (we indulged a bit too much during rehearsals!) all while taking care of my voice for the upcoming shows. There are lyrics that need fixing, and I must find the right focus as we approach the forthcoming dates. It's a mix of excitement and anxiety, but there's an overwhelming joy in seeing the results of our recent sessions. We're impatient to hit the road and start touring, even though we're not quite ready yet. We've got costumes to define, choreography to fine-tune, and a multitude of moving parts to coordinate. It's challenging, but we'll pull it off - I have no doubt.
I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to Max, my agent and lifetime friend who made all this possible, and to the team who invested so much in this project already: Akasha, Alessio Miraglia, Two-man Club, and Synesthetic Events, our new family. Thanks to everybody else who is there by my side during this crazy beautiful journey.
Catch up with us soon in November, where I promise a more structured organization, dates to book, and a host of fascinating concepts to explore. Thank you for your support!
B.