vigil/wake

Vigil/Wake is an immersive two-part experience, designed and performed by Dr Peta Murray. It was made in collaboration with scenographers Rachel Burke and Jane Murphy, with the sound design for Vigil by Thembi Soddell, with an optional epilogue in the form of a unique, crowd-sourced “Elegy”.

PART 1: VIGIL

Photo of Vigil by Peta Murray (installation view) - Photo by Jane Murphy
Image description: photograph of a hospital bed with a white blanket and pillow, glowing from beneath. There is a white lamp shining on the pillow. The wall behind the bed has two photos in a frame, and two shelves, one with a vase with flowers. There is a seat next to the bed and a small chest of drawers and waste bin next to it. On the floor under the bed is a strip of green astroturf. Photo credit Jane Murphy.

Vigil is an installation experienced by one person at a time. Most people find 10 – 20 minutes in the room is sufficient, but they may stay for as little or as long as they wish. While in the room they offered a brief, confidential and anonymous writing task, and to leave that document behind.

This is an immersive work, using sound and light. There is water provided, and a box of tissues on hand. Visitors are advised that they in charge of their own emotional/psychological wellbeing. There is nothing in the room that is specifically triggering, but some find the atmosphere and smell mildly disturbing.

PART 2: WAKE

Photo of Wake by Peta Murray (installation view) - Photo by Jane Murphy
Image description: Photograph of a long thin table in the middle of a room. It has a patterned table cloth covered by various items such as a skull, a lit candle, apples and a large vase with flowers. On the floor beneath the table is a strip of green astroturf with white cards with ornate borders. There are chairs around the edge of the room facing the table and on the back wall are five small arched mirrors with white frames and ivy wrapped across them. The table is lit with dramatic lighting that throws a shadow of the flowers on the back wall. Photo credit Jane Murphy.

Wake is a work of live art combining a performance and installation. Each session runs for about an hour. It is designed to be experienced by in small groups of no more than a dozen at a time.

Wake is an immersive work, also using found sound and light. It is led by Peta as a performer and facilitator. There is nothing in the room that is specifically triggering, but some find the experience cathartic, and strong emotions are welcomed. Visitors are in charge of their own emotional/psychological wellbeing.

People are asked to remain in the room for the length of the performance and instructed on matters of confidentiality before the performance begins. The piece is carefully paced and balanced, contains moments of levity amidst the gravity, and uses ritualised and ceremonial measures to hold space for shared storytelling.

Vigil/Wake has been performed in a range of versions and venues including ARTSHOUSE Melbourne and as part of PHPCI2019.

All text courtesy of Peta Murray.