PHANTOM STILLS & VIBRATIONS

Places and bodies – broken, betrayed, defiled. Secret, hidden stories gush to the surface in Phantom Stills & Vibrations, an immersive experience that looks to the former Pelican Falls Indian residential school in Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario where three generations of her family were forced to attend. A cultural genocide that continues, that leaves traces and open wounds. Inspired by visits to the land of her ancestors, choreographer Lara Kramer has crafted a performance art exhibit in collaboration with Stefan Petersen, a reminder of the repercussions of the traumas passed on from generation to generation.

A photograph of the former residential school (now a high school) and a soundscape of the north underpin a minimalist performance. Kramer portrays the excruciating reality of abused children and questions the possibility of moving forward. How can there be a rebuilding when violence is perpetuated? The exhibit stirs, disturbs, leads to reflection and meditation. A work of essential, powerful remembrance.

Coproduction Darling Foundry + National Arts Centre
With the support of Trent University Ashley Fellowship + Canada Council for the Arts + Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Creative residency Artspace, Darling Foundry + MAI Montreal arts interculturels

Diffusion MAI
Presented in association with Festival TransAmériques

Written by Elsa Pépin
Translated by Neil Kroetsch

Duration
40 minutes
Production
Lara Kramer
Conceived and choreographed
Lara Kramer
Created with and performed by
Lara Kramer + Stefan Petersen
Sound Recording and Mixing
Lara Kramer
Sound Editing
Marc Meriläinen
Knowledge Keeper
Ida Baptiste
Outside Eye
Ida Baptiste + Patti Shaughnessy + Jacob Wren
Premiered At
MAI, Montreal, on May 10, 2018

© 2023 Lara Kramer