Moontime
Notes on the development of the work:
‘Moontime’ is really an ‘inner journey’ reflected in cultural and personal archetypes relating to the moon as a symbol. It began life in a belief that ‘free expression’ is useful starting point for any creative endeavour - and it is that approach which is followed throughout the development of the ‘Moontime’ project that has made ‘Moontime’ what it is.. an interesting show to perform, and an interesting project for artists and performers to work on....
In creating a performance piece that’s source is so primal, ‘collective’ unconscious ideas surface, and it is hoped, therefore, that the ‘journey’ moontime highlights will have meaning and significance for all.
When I started this project I had no idea that the moon would form the central theme. Many of the ideas that surfaced attached themselves to symbols and events of our era common to all cultures - the most obvious being the Apollo moon landings...
In 2005 the performances followed the following format:
Unlike ‘Rama’ ‘Moontime’ is in constant development, and as such is improved, or added to for every performance, or season of performances. In 2004 and early 05 the performance format was as follows;
Scene; 1. ‘Tehuty awakener of the soul!’
... Conjunction of opposites - male and female the sun and the moon. The eclipse of the sun and the moon at the beginning of time - Tehuty oversees the coming darkness...blackness-putrefaction as represented by the eclipse itself. A ‘Ru’ - a birth canal is formed at the edges of the parting heavenly spheres - and the archetypes of transformation appear from the blackness.. as life from the womb...
Scene2. ‘There exists a bird that is more sublime than all others...’ Michel Majer-1568-1622-Alchemist [this below three bird pictures of moontime]
.... Transformation- bird-like-bird mad - mercury mixing with sulphur... represented by a progression of bird-like creatures which edge slowly across sulphur filled skies...
Scene3 ‘Son of the sun and the moon - child of the mind’ - the homunculus -
...The coming together of form and energy create a child a mix of male and female forms - a creature both magical and mischievous - the moon dwarf dances on the face of the moon...
Scene 4. ‘One small step for man...one giant leap for mankind,’ Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11, July 1969
Mixing of forms - Apollo 11 moon landings and the archetypes in alchemy. Now the scientific exploration of earth’s satellite begins unaware that man has been lured by the forces of the cosmos to become a catalyst in the cosmic alchemy...
Scene 5. ‘Speak not of God without illumination’....
The last but one transformation begins.... Here we see modern man and the images of alchemy influx the ancient, the primal, and the men of machines transform to create future archetypes, future Gods and Goddesses....
Scene 6. ‘Everything derives from eternity and everything must return to it’ Jacob Boehme 1575-162 [below astral projection]
The birth of the new Gods, - new archetypes for a new age... the transformation finished ‘the great work’ is complete. New Angels of the light are born, as the cycle of transformation is complete....
Jonathan Hayter - Writer, Producer and Director of ‘Moontime’ - 2004/05
Moontime artists, performers and contributors are:
Jonathan Hayter: puppetry, other live effects, concepts and
artwork.
Mark Osborne: music composition.
Itta Howie: lighting.
James
Hollingsworth & Sean McBride: Additional music composition.
Jim Brown:
dance and movement, choreography and puppetry
© ‘Moontime - A Work In Progress’ - Copyright Figure of Speech - 2004/05