MOTHERLAND, or terra-mãe (motherland), gives visibility to motherhood as the oldest and most natural form of work in the world. It is also an assertion of the possibility of continuing to exist as a performing arts professional while being the mother of two young children. It is a space that lives from contradiction: between wanting to do nothing or prove nothing, not wanting to entertain, but simply to be with, alongside, while at the same time inevitably entertaining and recreating.
Motherland is also a chaotic place, but one where life unfolds at its own pace, questioning and reshaping expectations around working time and production. Imagination seeks to open up new ways of sharing the performance space, which is also a space for rest, nourishment, study and care, calling on everyone to become involved in the issues that move us.
Technical Sheet
Concept and Research Francisca Pinto e Patrícia Soares Artistic Direction and Performer Francisca Pinto With her daughter Makeda Cabral Support to Dramaturgy Bruno Alexandre Exterior Eye Francisco Thiago Cavalcanti Sound Miguel Lucas Mendes Production Patrícia Soares Photo Susana Pereira House of Production Produção d’Fusão Support Alkantara, O Rumo do Fumo Sponsored by Direção Geral das Artes, Fundação GDA e O Rumo do Fumo
45 minutes | for all ages
Context
Making the issues that most intensely occupy us the subject of artistic research—more clearly linking artistic creation with social intervention—is urgent and deeply motivating for us. The desire to remain engaged in artistic creation practices is real, but increasingly seeks balance with family life. This project aims to raise awareness and facilitate possible transformations so that this reality may become accessible to a growing number of people.
In MOTHERLAND, the actions unfold on the basis of a score nourished by individual references—at times autobiographical—and, simultaneously, by questions identified as collectively relevant through the research mentioned above. This score is always activated through negotiation with the presence, needs and energy of Makeda, Francisca’s youngest daughter. The work exists between spontaneity and rigour, between care and the autonomy that is possible. A precious and fleeting intimacy is shared, while at the same time politically questioning us/you.
MOTHERLAND seeks to inhabit stages, studios and galleries. It is constantly evolving and highly unpredictable, as it follows the growth of a new human being in its fastest, most enchanting and most voracious phase. We do not have all the answers, but we ask many questions. We sing, dance, eat and sleep—ultimately sharing our existence here and now—while inviting you to imagine together a more welcoming, balanced and sustainable future.
The performance may be accompanied by a conversation with the artist, entitled Rhythms of Care: Challenges and Pathways.
This conversation can take different formats depending on the audience present and may include guests from various fields of practice, always in relation to the following themes:
-
the main challenges of balancing professional and family life;
-
emotional bonding with children and the need for proximity;
-
coexistence within workspaces;
-
possibilities, desires and lived experiences;
-
practices for more inclusive ways of living.
MOTHERLAND, or terra-mãe (motherland), gives visibility to motherhood as the oldest and most natural form of work in the world. It is also an assertion of the possibility of continuing to exist as a performing arts professional while being the mother of two young children. It is a space that lives from contradiction: between wanting to do nothing or prove nothing, not wanting to entertain, but simply to be with, alongside, while at the same time inevitably entertaining and recreating.
Motherland is also a chaotic place, but one where life unfolds at its own pace, questioning and reshaping expectations around working time and production. Imagination seeks to open up new ways of sharing the performance space, which is also a space for rest, nourishment, study and care, calling on everyone to become involved in the issues that move us.
Technical Sheet
Concept and Research Francisca Pinto e Patrícia Soares Artistic Direction and Performer Francisca Pinto With her daughter Makeda Cabral Support to Dramaturgy Bruno Alexandre Exterior Eye Francisco Thiago Cavalcanti Sound Miguel Lucas Mendes Production Patrícia Soares Photo Susana Pereira House of Production Produção d’Fusão Support Alkantara, O Rumo do Fumo Sponsored by Direção Geral das Artes, Fundação GDA e O Rumo do Fumo
45 minutes | for all ages
Context
Making the issues that most intensely occupy us the subject of artistic research—more clearly linking artistic creation with social intervention—is urgent and deeply motivating for us. The desire to remain engaged in artistic creation practices is real, but increasingly seeks balance with family life. This project aims to raise awareness and facilitate possible transformations so that this reality may become accessible to a growing number of people.
In MOTHERLAND, the actions unfold on the basis of a score nourished by individual references—at times autobiographical—and, simultaneously, by questions identified as collectively relevant through the research mentioned above. This score is always activated through negotiation with the presence, needs and energy of Makeda, Francisca’s youngest daughter. The work exists between spontaneity and rigour, between care and the autonomy that is possible. A precious and fleeting intimacy is shared, while at the same time politically questioning us/you.
MOTHERLAND seeks to inhabit stages, studios and galleries. It is constantly evolving and highly unpredictable, as it follows the growth of a new human being in its fastest, most enchanting and most voracious phase. We do not have all the answers, but we ask many questions. We sing, dance, eat and sleep—ultimately sharing our existence here and now—while inviting you to imagine together a more welcoming, balanced and sustainable future.
The performance may be accompanied by a conversation with the artist, entitled Rhythms of Care: Challenges and Pathways.
This conversation can take different formats depending on the audience present and may include guests from various fields of practice, always in relation to the following themes:
-
the main challenges of balancing professional and family life;
-
emotional bonding with children and the need for proximity;
-
coexistence within workspaces;
-
possibilities, desires and lived experiences;
-
practices for more inclusive ways of living.