Shujin

Shujin inspects stoicism in the professional workplace. Jonathan Homsey uses his own life experiences and anecdotes from his childhood in Hong Kong to examine the duality of the highly paced work-ethic against the serene Eastern movement practices. Shujin is a platform for the viewer to examine how their professional life affects their mental health.

Shujin was initially a film installation which has exhibited across Melbourne’s many projection festivals, Sydney’s 107 Projects and Design Festa Gallery in Tokyo. This world debut live iteration is a diptych examining external and internal monologues.

The external monologue is set at the top of the stairs of the iconic Nicholas Building and reflects on the push and pull of work and rest. The intimate audience of 15 descend a long staircase as Homsey unravels stories of burnout in honour of prosperity.

The internal monologue from this descent leads to a four-hour durational performance teetering between physical tensions; using his body as a channel, this work examines the emotional hurdles we put ourselves through to succeed.

Transcript and filming of the performance available Tuesday 10 December here.

Performative Immersion*: 6:30pm–7:30pm
Durational Performance: 7:30pm–11:30pm
(Wheelchair accessible)

*To be a part of the Performative Immersion, please register via Eventbrite (limited spaces). This registration is to participate in the Performative Immersion element of the performance (non-accessible as it is descending a staircase and spoken in English with no translation).

The remainder of the performance is accessible and does not require registration.

Shujin is presented as part of Mapping Melbourne 2019.

Featured image: Jonathan Homsey. Photo by Greogory Lorenzutti.