Five books, five symbols of knowledge. An atlas, maybe, or perhaps the Bible? What’s a single moment in a person’s life compared to the vast time of humanity, the planet or the universe? Does anything exist beyond the present moment? Accompanied by an absorbing, atmospheric soundscape, poetry and books, archaic totems of knowledge, Vendula Tomšů and Ian Mikyska explore the dimensions of eternal and infinite presence. In an intimate space, they ask how we position ours in relation to the planet, to the sun, to our own breath.

Running time: 30 mins. The performance will be presented several times in succession, always for a maximum of 12.
The performance will take place in Czech and English, language versions will alternate. 

Concept: Vendula Tomšů, Ian Mikyska

Sound design: Ian Mikyska 

Art design: Vendula Tomšů

This performance was created with the support of the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of the Performing Arts in Prague (KALD DAMU). 

The performance is part of the Nová síť organisation’s New Blood on the Scene 2021 program.

English version supported by Bazaar Festival.

Vendula Tomšů studied Japanese philology at Palacký University in Olomouc and then earned a degree in scenography in the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at DAMU. She has worked on a number of productions, including more intimate projects for smaller audiences. She is a co-founder of the 8lidí group and the Zvěřinec association, which deals with the development of cultural and community life in the Zlín Region.

Ian Mikyska  is a composer, poet, director and translator. He studied composition at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama and alternative theatre directing at DAMU. He has collaborated with many theatres (The National Theatre, Theatre on the Balustrade, Goose on a String) and also works in gallery spaces, collaborating with visual artists and creating his own installation and video projects. He has released the book Partitury pro čtenáře (Scores for Readers, Psí víno, 2016) and, more recently, the album Strings Water Leaves Air (Ma Records 2021).  He also translates contemporary Czech prose and poetry into English. www.ianmikyska.com