The artist Rory Midhani presents Queergiozis, a participatory shadow theater performance at the Feminist Autonomous Center (FAC) in Athens, curated by Vassilia Kaga, with research and dramaturgical support from Lemonia Gianniri.
Inspired by the figures of Karagiozis, during his residency at FAC, Midhani created a new series of contemporary characters through the lens of queer and trans experiences, inviting us to play shadow theater together.
The project takes as its starting point the historical figure of Karagiozis, a witty builder who lived during the Ottoman era. His murder by the Sultan led his friends and colleagues to create a shadow puppet in his memory, thus beginning the Karagiozis shadow theater tradition in Greece, which evolved over the years.
Queergiozis, drawing from the origin story of Karagiozis, uses shadow theater as a medium for narrating queer and trans experiences.
On Thursday, February 27, at 20:00 at the Feminist Autonomous Center (FAC), Midhani will present his shadow figures in an interactive performance, inviting participants to share their own stories through shadow theater.
Special thanks to Ilias Gianniris - studier of shadow puppet play.
Link to article about the project in Athinorama