Portal Project
What if there was a world where the pandemic never happened?
by Heather Cohn, Sarah Elizabeth Grace, Fiona Hansen, Miranda Holliday, Montserrat Mendez, Corinna Schulenburg, Justin Woo, Jason Tseng
Portal Project began in 2023 with a simple provocation: what if there was a world where the pandemic never happened? Seven artists gathered to devise a response, using Arundhati Roy's quote as a catalyst and asking each other: how would the world be different? How would we be different? What began as a devised exploration has become a multi-disciplinary, durational act of collective healing. Drawing on documentary interviews and theatrical ritual, incorporating music, audio design, performance, and immersive art installation, Portal Project will continue to evolve as annual event marking the lockdown.
TIMELINE: 4/23, devising begins | 6/23, workshop at Flux Retreat | 12/23, staged reading of Portal Magic Consensus Time | 8/24, MAP Fund grant awarded to Portal Project | 3/25, Portal Project Podcast begins collecting interviews | 10/25, two performances of new Portal Project scenes and immersive art & audio installation | 3/26, three sharings of immersive art & audio installation w/facilitated discussion | 3/27, stay tuned!