Vidya Patel is a Birmingham based dance artist and choreographer. Her work merges classical Indian and contemporary dance, with a special focus on collaboration and collective working. Good Mourning Earth is a new performance responding to Cecilia Vicuña’s Hyundai commission, Brain Forest Quipu. It explores our emotional and spiritual connection to the natural world through movement, music, spoken word and reimagined rituals.
Good Mourning Earth reflects on the destruction of the environment as a result of human activity. It mourns the loss of vital ecosystems, plant and animal life around the world. It also celebrates nature’s astounding ability to heal and regenerate. Through this work, Patel and her collaborators encourage us to acknowledge our place in a grander ecology, cherishing our connection and responsibility to the earth.
The work will be performed at 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, 16th April in the Turbine Hall.
The performance will include BSL interpretation and audio description. It is part of the Uniqlo Tate Play Easter programme.
The work is performed by dance artists Vidya Patel, Monique Jonas, Tulani Kayani- Skeef and Nandita Shankardass. Music is composed and performed by multi- instrumentalist Shammi Pithia, with singer Abi Sampa, ehruist Ziyang Huang and percussionist Ayoze Lopez. Spoken word is written and performed by poet Zia Ahmed. BSL interpretation is provided by Sumayya Si- Tayeb and audio description by Meera Patel.
Curated by Helen O’Malley
Hyundai Commission: Cecilia Vicuña in partnership with Hyundai Motor.
UNIQLO Tate Play in partnership with UNIQLO
Instagram: @_vidyapatel
This event will include BSL interpretation and audio description.
All Tate Modern entrances are step-free. You can enter via the Turbine Hall and into the Natalie Bell Building on Holland Street, or into the Blavatnik Building on Sumner street.
There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Nathalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.
- Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses.
- A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
- Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks.
To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.
For more information before your visit:
- Email hello@tate.org.uk
- Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 – option 1 (daily 09.45–18.00)
Concept, Choreography, Direction: Vidya Patel
Producer: Lucy Clarke-Bishop
Dance Artists: Vidya Patel, Monique Jonas, Tulani Kayani-Skeef, Nandita Shankardass
Composer & Music Direction, Multi- Instrumentalist: Shammi Pithia
Spoken Word Artist, Poet & Writer: Zia Ahmed
Vocalist: Abi Sampa
Ehruist: Ziyang Huang
Percussionist: Ayoze Lopez
Costume Designer: Manuela Fleming
Costume Assistant: Rhianne Good
Access Consultant: Eman Bhatti
BSL Interpreter: Sumayya Si-Tayeb
Audio Describer: Meera Patel
Performance Mentor and Dramaturg: Eva Martinez
Choreographic Mentors: Thick & Tight (Daniel Hay Gordon & Eleanor Perry)
Performance Mentor: Tim Casson
Studio Assistants: Anjana Bala, Anekha Pillai
