Beyond The Accident of Time

WINNIPEG-BASED PERFORMANCE DUO RETURNS WITH AN EVENT OF MUSIC AND REMEMBRANCE FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNITY

Sasha Amaya and Naomi Woo present their second offering to Winnipeg’s arts community: Beyond The Accident of Time. This directorial duo has brought together a diverse and vibrant group of artists to commemorate a solemn anniversary. Combining bells and voices, the soundscape of this event honors the past, while presenting a brand-new commission grounded in this present moment.

100 years ago, on July 1, 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act or “Chinese Exclusion Act” was passed. Among other damaging consequences, the law greatly restricted Chinese immigration into Canada and divided hundreds of families. It was only repealed in 1946. During the 23 years the act was in place, Chinese communities in Canada referred to July 1 as “Humiliation Day”.

The event will take place at undisclosed, culturally significant locations around the city, engaging the public to pause and reflect. The project will conclude with a final performance at the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural & Community Centre.

Winnipeg-based composer and musician Ashley Au has been commissioned to create a new work of choral music, which will be premiered in Ottawa on June 23 as part of the Senate of Canada’s National Remembrance Event. Her music thrums with the earthen grounding of folk song, and meditates on an anonymous text of protest from the time of the Exclusion Act.

The performance also features beyond the accident of time by Kanoki Maoli (Native Hawaiian) composer Leilehua Lanzilotti, which was originally written for the sculptor Isamu Noguchi’s Hiroshima memorial sculptures.

Funding for the event is generously provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.