Noorlinah Mohamed
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Conceptualised by theatre artist Noorlinah Mohamed in 2019, and presented by T:>Works, Festival of Women N.O.W. celebrates alliances and solidarity between women through engagement, collaboration and dialogue.
"The N.O.W. 2021 line-up explores different facets of
the taboo, fear, intimacy and reclaims them
as sources of power and inspiration.
Each project brings to focus some under discussed topics: from the invisibility of Tamil women, to
narratives of joy within historically marginalised communities, to raising uncomfortable questions on intimacy, desire and well-being in ageing bodies.
Each project re-positions the provocative and invites open conversations and dialogue on varying perspectives.
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N.O.W. 2021, in its third and final iteration,
returns as an all-digital festival. With its focus on
making porous the borders between arts and life, N.O.W. is the right arena to embrace the digital.
This year we employ the most accessible platforms
to enable ease of engagement with a diverse range
of audiences. We consider what is intimacy
beyond the physical, in the digital world.
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To create for the digital requires a re-thinking of what it means to make engaging performance, and propels us creators to not only think about the narrative but also the environment for the audience.
How do we craft meaningful interactions, giving the audience and the creators space to breathe, respond and care for each other and the work presented? How do we chart a journey together, with intention and commitment for deep engagement that surmounts the technological mediation? These are some unanswered questions and, yes, challenging and exciting at the same time.
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Ultimately, our aim is to explore and experiment the digital as a site for creative imaginings and communality. A site within which we, audiences, creators, crafters, dreamers, fan the spirit of convivial gathering, and of being together within a shared digital space.
Thank you to the T:>Works team, the talented interns who I've had the pleasure to work with and of course the generous collaborators.
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With open hearts, we invite you to take this journey with us, embrace N.O.W. in the digital"
--- Noorlinah Mohamed, 2021