Metastasis

Performance Note:

A) A body-based workshop with an approach towards “modern feelings” gave birth to the Metastasis project. It was during training that two group members’ shared concern, began tinting the trajectory of the workshop. On the last night of the workshop, November 27th, 2014, all group members delivered a body-based solo performance, in which they shared their feelings and experiences through a monologue centered on the chosen topic: cancer and its relationship to the cancer patients’ closed ones. That night’s performance acted as a source of inspiration informed by the experiences of the Minders of cancer patients to form the basis of the Metastasis theater performance. As this idea flourished, the widespread nature of this phenomenon in Iran, moved the performance towards becoming a campaign, which subsequently entailed the theater performance.

B) When a person is suffering from cancer, at least three other people are involved. And, at least one of these three dedicates his or her entire time to the care and wellbeing of the cancer patient. Based on current statistics, there are about 400,000 cancer patients in Iran. If we consider three “Minders” per patient, there are at least 1,200,000 Minders of cancer patients in Iran. Considering the increase rate of 90 thousand cancer patients per year, each year 270,000 Minders join the community of the Minders of cancer patients in Iran.

C) The Metastasis project is not about disease and prevention, the suffering patient and charity. Metastasis is about highlighting a forgotten essential: 1,200,000 Minders, who have spent their lives caring for their loved ones suffering from cancer.

D) We learned multiplication, displacement and spreading out from cancer: metastasis. We believe when faced with a phenomenon as powerful as cancer, one should approach it through similar means. Neither of cancer, nor inattention or denial; we engage in metastasis of our feelings towards each other. We metastasize our attentiveness towards society in the hopes of revealing another, a hidden, face of this phenomenon.

What is metastasis?

mehran Jalilvand, [9/7/2023 3:58 PM]

Metastasis is the spreading of cancerous cells from one organ of the body to another, which occurs at advanced stages of cancer. Sometimes cancerous cells leave the site where they had originated and cross the lymphatic system or blood vessels, thus reaching other organs of the body, where they lodge and develop into new cancerous tissues.

Fibonacci

The Fibonacci sequence consists of numbers, beginning with zero and one; each subsequent number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. The first part of the Fibonacci sequence consists of 0, 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 and 24. The Metastasis theater performances occur according to the Fibonacci sequence.

Bharatanatyam

“Bharatanatyam” is a form of Indian classical dance, mostly practiced by young female dancers. The most important element of this dance is its multi-faceted symbolism besides its beauty and religious philosophies, performed to worship beauty and life. Many movements of Bharatanatyam are attributed to the Lord Shiva, who is sometimes named as the Lord and the creator of this dance. In Hindu mysticism, Shiva is the symbol of cosmic energy and reflects some of the most important characteristics of creation: conception, immortality, the duty to preserve life, the power to destruct, the duty to keep the secret of creation hidden as well as love and growth. Hence besides its good and honorable facet, this powerful Lord is also a symbol of darkness and destruction.

Invitation to Join:

The production crew has had several discussions with the Minders of cancer patients while preparing for this project. Some of the Minders will join the cast on stage during the play. If you are a Minder and would like to share your experiences with us and others, get in touch via email and perhaps you will be in one of our performances.