Once upon a time there was a traveller who embarked on a journey to a land where antiquity and modernity coexisted. This traveller, who had recently become a British citizen but was deeply rooted in her Mexican heritage, set off for the enchanted realm of Japan. In this land, the traveller was inspired to weave a new flag, a tapestry of colour that tells the story of her diverse heritage. This flag, unlike any other, combined the vibrant colours of her homeland, the sacred colours of the Palestinian flag and the revered shades of the Japanese banner, all of which harmonised with the colours of a magical watermelon — red, white and black. These three colours became the essence of her new creation. With the enchanted banner in hand, the traveller reached the ancient city of Chino, located in the mountains of Nagano. There, in an old building full of history, the traveller prepared for her performance. The building seemed to whisper old stories and invited the traveller to weave her story into its walls. The traveller was inspired by the Jomon dolls, ancient artefacts with a mysterious aura. A doll with a mysterious triangle on its face supposedly possessed not a human essence, but a plant-like one. The traveller felt a deep connection with the natural world and saw herself as both a creator and part of this living fabric. She saw herself as a summoner of monsters, mystical beings born from the earth and spirit, or perhaps as a companion to these creatures that she guided into existence. With the help of sacred plants and the inspiration of the Jomon dolls, the traveller transformed and created a new incarnation of herself, woven from the essence of monsters and sacred flora.

Nagano, Japan, 2024.

As part of the ‘Beyond the Soul’ performance art festival curated by Tadashi Watanabe.