Science fiction about transidentity and self-determination under religious power
Sophia van der Putten
Location: Vlaams Cultuurhuis De Brakke Grond, Rode Zaal
- GENRE: Dance, Music theatre, Theatre
- THEME: Changing the Norm, Queer Stories, Speaking Bodies, Systems under pressure
- LANGUAGE: Dutch, English Subtitles
- ACCESSIBILITY: Assistance dogs welcome, Genderneutral toilets, Toilet for wheelchair users, Wheelchair accessible
info
From forbidden ritual to twisted eucharist: Transfloratie is a queer science fiction about trans identity and self-determination under religious power. In a visual performance with Gregorian chants and pumping beats, artist/performer Sophia van der Putten lays bare what remains of a person when faith is forged into law.
Inspired by anime, a world unfolds that overwhelms your senses with visual excess and sound that crawls under your skin. Let yourself be carried into a story of grief, resistance and love.
The performance is in Dutch with English subtitles.
Biography
Sophia van der Putten (they/them, 1992) is a theatre maker and performer. Their work moves at the intersection of theatre, dance and visual art, with a fascination for bodily transformations that unsettle and captivate. In 2023 they surprised audiences with Fluidical at Amsterdam Fringe Festival, a solo performance with a dancer and 150 litres of slime, and in Botaniek (2024) flowers grew from their body.
With Transfloratie, Sophia explores a new layer by adding voice and rhythmic text to their practice. For this work, Sophia collaborates with artistic partner and sister Julia van der Putten (she/her, 1994) as sound designer and dramaturg. Next to being artistic partners they also founded Zeelanding: a platform for artistic experiment in community in their home region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (province of Zeeland), through which they organise the biennial Zeelanding Festival.
credits
Maker/performer: Sophia van der Putten
Sound design/dramaturgy: Julia van der Putten
Vocals: Jolan Bergkotte
Vocal coach: Zwaantje de Vries
Artistic advice: Maarten Bos
Thanks to: Agat Sharma