囚人 (Shūjin) inspects stoicism in the professional workplace. Jonathan Homsey uses his own life experiences and anecdotes from his childhood in Hong Kong to examine the duality of the highly paced work-ethic against the serene Eastern movement practices. Shujin as a platform for the viewer to examine how their professional life affects their mental health.

囚人 (Shūjin) was initially a film installation which has exhibited across Melbourne’s many projection festivals, Sydney’s 107 Projects and Design Festa Gallery in Tokyo. This world debut live iteration is a diptych examining external and internal monologues. The external monologue is set at the top of the stairs of the iconic Nicholas Curtin Building and reflects on the push and pull of work and rest. The intimate audience of 15 descend a long staircase as Homsey unravels stories of burnout in honour of prosperity. The internal monologue from this descent leads to a four-hour durational performance teetering between physical tensions; using his body as a channel, this work examines the emotional hurdles we put ourselves through to succeed.

Presented as part of Mapping Melbourne (Multicultural Arts Victoria).

This registration is to participate in the Performative Immersion element of the performance (non-accessible as it is descending a stair case and spoken in English with no translation). MEETING POINT: OUTSIDE ELEVATOR DOORS, GROUND FLOOR.

The remainder of the performance is accessible, viewed from Swanston Street and does not require registration.