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Hear
As part of Dig/Hear/Sing/—
Abrons Arts Center
New York, NY
April 2022

In Hear, I pull from a bereft archive of video and sound bites in an attempt to materialize and present the profile of someone lost.

Dig/Hear/Sing/— is a trilogy of evening length solos integrating movement, voice, and installation, to derive coping rituals in the aftermath of loss. These works were built by grieving the loss of three loved ones, and preserving the language, movements, and creative actions that emerged from that grief. This trilogy is an effort to open portals to the dead, to communicate with them, retell their stories, and preserve their memory. Can we connect to people who aren’t here anymore by making something out of all the bits that are? 

Ogemdi sits at a table as images are projected in front of her.
Ogemdi rests her head on her hand as a real-time image of her is projected.
Ogemdi backbends over a chair as duplicate images of her friend are projected.
Ogemdi sits at a table as she reaches an arm out to the side. Her image is projected.
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Ogemdi wears a long blue dress and dances in front of projections.
Ogemdi sits on a table with one arm on her hip.
Ogemdi dances on a table motioning with her hands.
Ogemdi lifts her arms and and presses her wrists together as she looks out.
Ogemdi motions with her arms and looks up.
Ogemdi dances moving her elbows and hands.
Ogemdi lies on a table with her arms and hands above her face.
Ogemdi sits in dark lighting at a table. A bright image of her with her arms spread wide is projected.
Ogemdi sits with her elbows on a table and gazes at projections.

Created and performed by Ogemdi Ude
Sound design by slowdanger
Lighting Design and Stage Management by Kia Rogers
Administrative Support from Gabby Carmichael
ASL Interpretation provided by All Hands in Motion
Photos by Maria Baranova
Footage by Chidozie Ekwensi

Funding & Support
Dig/Hear/Sing/— is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by LMCC; the Franklin Furnace Fund supported by Jerome Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the New York City Artist Corps; and Dance/NYC’s Disability. Dance. Artistry. Residency Program.