Dream Ritual, Bongsu Park & Jinyeob Cha at The Coronet Theatre

If you’re interested in dreams and the subconscious world they reveal, Dream Ritual is definitely for you; with the added bonus that your own most precious dream can figure in it – we’ll tell you how at the end.

Dream Ritual is inspired by the centuries-old Korean tradition of buying and selling dreams, documented as far back as the 12th century in the Samguk Sagi, which is considered the very first history of Korea. The belief in dreams as omens and the ability to buy dreams from others persists to this day in Korea.

Building on that tradition, the London-based South Korean artist Bongsu Park has joined forces with the choreographer and dancer JInyeob Cha to create Dream Ritual, which comes to The Coronet Theatre in July.

Bongsu Park is primarily an installation artist, whose work, often incorporating elements of dance, has its roots in the culture and philosophy of South Korea, which she brings into the context of contemporary western societies.

Jinyeob Cha is an award-winning dance artist, now based in South Korea, but with considerable experience of working with international companies, including Hofesh Shechter.

A narrative thread runs through Dream Ritual: Cha’s character, Munhui, buys a dream and becomes a shaman, or healer. She then travels to the collective unconscious, where she meets the dreams of others.

In a diaphanous set, snatches from dreams are projected onto folds of organza that represent the arcs and ripples of typical sleep brainwaves. Cha travels through this dreamy landscape to an ambient soundtrack that includes field recordings of aborigine ceremonies.

Now for the really exciting bit: your own dream can be part of this extraordinary work, as Park and Cha are still looking for original contributions to Dream Ritual.

If you want to try, go to https://www.dreamritual.org/ and submit your dream. Let’s face it, you are unlikely ever to have another opportunity to see your dreams materialised as part of an art work!

NOTE: A video by Bongsu Park can be viewed FREE of charge in the Print Room Studio, 3 – 6 July at 18:30 and 21:30