Plant a Promise
Concept and Choreographer Henrietta Baird
Inspired by the 2019/20 Summer of fires, this is a new work in four parts: dance, installation, weaving conversations and community planting sessions. Through the show fires burn, eucalyptus and politics are examined, and Country is honoured. Participants are invited to add epicormic growth to the stark set, put their hands in the earth and leave with a promise to look after Country.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Inspired by the 2019/20 Summer of fires, this is a new work in four parts: dance, installation, weaving conversations and community planting sessions. Through the show fires burn, eucalyptus and politics are examined, and Country is honoured. Participants are invited to add epicormic growth to the stark set, put their hands in the earth and leave with a promise to look after Country.
As we all struggle to respond to the growing challenges of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, Plant a Promise offers lyrical provocations and spaces in which to remember and reflect, with practical ways to contribute to solutions.
We are exploring how to tour this work by rail, taking it from Gadigal Land in Sydney back to Kuku Yalanji Country, Henrietta’s ancestral lands, following the ancient saltwater pathway up the East Coast of Australia.
Plant a Promise is created with the generous support of Critical Path, Carriageworks, Create NSW and the Australia Council for the Arts.
"Plant a Promise made me feel so sad, remembering the trauma of the fires and my love for this country. It made me want to do so much more."
There is much talk about Indigenous knowledges and adapting colonial systems, this project is an attempt to work across a range of art forms and offer insights into the interconnected ways of First Nations cultural practices.
This is an opportunity to develop and /or deepen connections to local First Nations people in your communities and privilege their perspectives.
We are still developing the work and want to talk to presenters about how to do this to serve their communities.
FROM THE CREATOR
My work is about the responsibility of Caring for Country, and it stems from my Elders teaching me about the importance of cultural protocols. Through stories, movement, and practices on Country we can learn about land management, back burning, the importance of ceremonies, listening to First Nations Elders and leaders. First Nations people have been silenced in the past and only seem to matter for other people’s gain. How can we lead so everyone learns to be caretakers? Weaving different elements together Plant a Promise is inviting you to Care for Country.
- Henrietta Baird
Ready to Tour
If you are interested in touring get in contact!
Arts on Tour
02 8038 1880
touring@artsontour.com.au
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.