Morabeza
Morabeza is a collaborative, site-specific performance created in 2025 following an invitation from the National Centre for Crafts and Design of Cape Verde (CNAD), as part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Cape Verde's independence. The project brought together CNAD, the artistic association Alma d'Arame, ESMAD, Cape Verdean dancers and a multidisciplinary team of artists and researchers from Portugal and Cape Verde. The performance explores a new form of digital object theatre, where everyday objects, bodies and gestures are transformed through live digital technologies. Objects selected by local communities become carriers of memories, emotions and personal histories, while the movements of the performers are captured, manipulated and projected in real time. Because each performance is site-specific, every interaction, image and projection exists only in that particular place and moment. I designed the digital scenography and developed the interactive media platform used throughout the performances. The system allows live capture, mixing, recording, playback and real-time interaction between video, digital imagery and the performers, operated live as part of the theatrical event. The project resulted in two site-specific performances in Cape Verde: a large-scale video-mapping performance on the façade of CNAD in Mindelo, São Vicente, and a second performance created for the façade of the Municipal Council building in Paúl, Santo Antão. Through the combination of local objects, community memories, dance and interactive digital media, Morabeza creates an ephemeral visual archive of bodies and gestures, reflecting on freedom, identity, memory and the cultural heritage of Cape Verde.
Artistic Direction - Amândio Anastácio Multimedia / Video Mapping - Luís Grifu; Live Music - João Bastos; Multimedia and Lighting Operation - João Sofio; Community Engagement - Sónia Barbosa; Young Dancers from São Vicente; Executive Production - André Heitor; Communication - Raquel Cunha; Production - Alma d’Arame; Partnership - ESMAD
