In Repose is a site-specific collaborative multi art form project with dance, music, visual projection, sound-scapes and installation, inspired by Japanese graves in Australia from the turn of the century.

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In Repose is a requiem: a work of kuyo, a Japanese term, which describes an act of ceremonial prayer or offering to respect, honour and calm the spirits of the deceased. Its origins are in Buddhism, and its practice has become a part of the Japanese spiritual culture with or without its religious connection.

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THis work was a collaboration between 4 Japanese and One Australian Artist.

The team travelled throughout Australia to places of importance to Japanese migration.

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These included, Townsville, THursday Island, Broom, Cossack and Roebourne.​

 

At each location, the team created a performance at the local Japanese section of the cemetery.  They also created a gallery based installation and conducted workshops with local schools and community members.  Members of the team travelled to additional remote locations to create private performances for the spirits of past Japanese migrants.

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This work culminated in a performance which traced the journey and included live music, dance, video and narrative.  This was performed at the Japan Foundation in Sydney as well as the OzAsia Festival in Adelaide.