Thousand Papers 千紙
Installation and Durational Performance
Tell us your stories, hopes and dreams. So then we can build the Senbazuru of ours.
也許故事從未結束，暫此封印在千鶴內。
‘Thousand Papers’ is a durational performance and community installation, where we reflect on how freedom of expression is still being oppressed nowadays in many corners of the world. It is a work that we derived from the concept of community sculpture building, movement practices and East Asian traditions.
In previous editions, we were reading and copying letters from jailed activists everywhere, who are fighting for social justice, like the ones from Hong Kong in 2021 and the ones from Poplar Rebellion in London in 1921. We compared their words and were stunned by the emotions and spirit they shared, which came to us from far away, where the brave voices are locked up and people are indecisive about staying or leaving.
It is an ongoing performance series, previously presented at Fitzrovia Noir, Goldsmiths CCA, Chisenhale Dance Space, Derby Theatre and more. Our performance disappears over time but the memory stays, manifested by the sculpture. This is about celebrating our happiness, sadness, hopes, dreams and love.
The coming presentations:
20, 21 June 2024
- Migration Matters Festival, Sheffield
23 June 2024
- Refugee Week at The Albany, London
We are collecting writings on facing adversaries and hope for the futures as migrant people. Poems, proses, letters - all are welcome.
It can be written in any language. Your writing will be featured as part of the community installation and durational performance on 20-21 June during Migration Matters Festival, and 23 June at The Albany.
If you are interested, please submit through this jotform:
https://form.jotform.com/241434252098051
We appreciate every submission and your participation. Let’s build our structure of hope together.
Featured articles:
written by Sandra Lam
'Aberfeldy Street celebrates Poplarism with art installation'
written by Ruby Flanagan, Poplar LDN on 2 May 2021
Whitechapel Gallery First Thursday (Mention)
6 May 2021
Previous editions:
9 October 2021:
Goldsmiths CCA, London
In response to Eugenio Dittborn’s exhibition Airmail Paintings
15 July 2021
12-8pm: Durational performance
Derby Theatre
Departure Lounge with In Good Company
Interactive exhibition continue until 17 July
12 June 2021
12-6pm
St. Stephen Green, Bow, London
Outdoor Performance
With “Encounter Bow”, Chisenhale Dance Space
28 April - 6 May 2021
Fitzrovia Noir, 48 Aberfeldy Street, London, E14 0NU
Exhibition and Durational Performance
With Poplar Union, Finborough Theatre and Whitechapel Gallery
20 February 2021
4-6pm
Online version with
Welcome to My Crying Party
27 November 2020
12-5:30pm
Contact, Manchester
More details here
(Cancelled due to COVID)
2 May 2020
9am-5pm
Chisenhale Dance Space, London
As part of Open Weekend
(Cancelled due to COVID-19)
6 December 2019
9am - 5pm
Octagon, Queen Mary University of London
22 November 2019
11am-5pm
Goldsmiths, University of London
12 October 2019
3-9 pm
EG-1 Project Space, Bow Arts Centre, London
Part of "Be Water!"
This project is ongoing research on how to create a space for appreciating and celebrating the differences between individuals by reading and embodying the stories one by one through movement and origami. They value the participation of every audience member and hence emphasize the importance of acting collectively, at the same questioning their troubled cultural identity and linking it to the greater discourse of history.
To know more about this performance, please do not hesitate to contact us through info@ghostandjohn.art
