John A Douglas

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Inspired by the artist’s experience of a life-saving kidney transplant, this visually rich four-part work explores the transformative experience of chronic illness, treatment and recovery. Combining John A Douglas’ signature science fiction-inspired imagery with stunning footage of landscapes and ancient architecture around the world Circles of Fire: The Amphitheatre brings together video installation, virtual reality, medical procedures and live performance to invite us inside Douglas’ physical experience, witnessing the wonder and terror of the medicalised human body.

The Cannulation Performance 6pm – 7:30pm

Each evening, John A Douglas performs a durational performance while undertaking cannulation through an intravenous drip. This performance installation ponders the experience of medical intervention in the artist’s daily life and meditates on the complications of living with a hybrid body. As the performance unfolds, you can have your vital signs read and recorded by the registered nurse and performance artist, Stella Topaz.

The Cannulation will be activated with one-off improvised scores from two invited collaborators: Justin Ashworth on Friday 26 and Tina Havelock Stevens on Saturday 27.

The Amphitheatre Performance 8pm

The sweeping final act of Circles of Fire is an extraordinary dialogue between body and screen. John A Douglas performs a dramatic physical score that reveals the resilience and fragility of the medical patient. Set to a supernatural soundtrack by Justin Ashworth, this final performance traces the full narrative arc of John’s transplant experience.

Circles of Fire: The Amphitheatre also includes a Video Installation and VR Experience.  

Running Time: 240 mins

Presented by Performance Space & John A Douglas

Image: John A Douglas, Circles of Fire: The Amphitheatre.