After an initial residency from February to June 2025, conducted as part of her doctoral research at Vilnius University on sonic and corporeal practices in collaboration with neurodivergent people, the Lithuanian artist returns to Transcultures to finalize her research project combining sound art, dance, and video.
Whispers, Movements, and Matter: An Elemental Immersion
Le titre Murmur of the Beast encapsulates the performative and phenomenological essence of the work, at the intersection of embodied cognition, somatic practices, and ritual. The “beast” represents primal, instinctive, bodily energies that elude conscious control, echoing research on embodied emotional states and on how the body carries memory, tension, and affect. The “murmur” refers to that emerging, subtle, pre-conscious voice that arises before the body is ready, illustrating how an intentional artistic intervention can modulate physiological and emotional responses.
In Murmur of the Beast, the “beast” can be understood as a psychological defense mechanism—a receptacle for instinctive, primal energies that surface in the face of fear, trauma, or emotional strain. Drawing on research in somatic psychology, embodied cognition, and movement-based therapies, these instinctive responses are not seen as obstacles but as dynamic forces that can be regulated, transformed, and harmonized through voice, movement, and engagement with the environment.
Within the immersive performance, the murmur guides participants through a multisensory exploration of the elements—fire, air, earth, water, and ether—each experienced as a distinct phenomenological environment. The beast is not to be understood literally, but as a somatic and elemental force moving through the sensory, spatial, and sonic layers of the performance. This approach aligns with contemporary research in somatic and participatory arts, showing how audience, performer, and environment co-construct transformative experiences, in which subtle shifts of attention, perception, and bodily awareness induce tangible changes in affective and somatic states.
The title retains a poetic ambiguity, inviting each person to attune to their own inner murmurs, to connect with their instinctive energies, and to take part in a ritualized process of embodied transformation, in which primal forces are acknowledged, modulated, and integrated into a conscious presence.
Immersive Experience and Traversal of Spaces
The performance unfolds across five interconnected rooms, each conceived as a ritual space and a phenomenological environment where visual, auditory, and spatial stimuli are orchestrated to orient attention, awaken resonances, and modulate bodily and emotional states.
- Room I – Fire: Participants encounter tension, will, and the struggle between control and instinct through sequences combining video and live voice–movement. This environment elicits a heightened state of arousal, in line with somatic principles of embodied cognition.
- Room II – Air: This room emphasizes restraint and suspension. Light, spatial dynamics, hesitant vocalizations, and constrained movements encourage the perception of subtle shifts in breathing, posture, and affective resonance, fostering an inward, reflective listening.
- Room III – Earth: Grounded movements and warm vocal tones pair with familiar domestic imagery, creating a space of embodied memory and stability, where participants reconnect with kinesthetic and emotional reference points.
- Room IV – Water: Fluidity, softening, and surrender are foregrounded. The immersive auditory and spatial design supports muscular relaxation and receptive attention, highlighting the dialogue between stillness, voice, and environmental cues.
- Center – Æther: This site serves as a ritual culmination, integrating all elemental experiences into a coherent immersive field. Participants encounter the convergence of movement, voice, and spatialized sound, experiencing a transformative synthesis of perception, emotion, and embodiment. The courtyard functions as an altar where affective, somatic, and sonic layers converge, allowing the audience and performers to take part in a shared, embodied ritual of transformation.
Throughout the performance, video installations, live voice, movement, and object-generated sounds weave a dialogue between mediated and immediate presence, exemplifying how contemporary performance can operate as a somatic laboratory in which audience, environment, and performers mutually influence one another.
Kotryna Žilinskaité (Lt)
Kotryna Žilinskaitė is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of theater, contemporary dance, video, and sound. With a background in performance and movement, she explores the interplay between body, voice, and space, integrating these elements into both artistic and therapeutic practices. Recently, she earned her Master’s in Music Therapy from Vilnius University, further deepening her approach to creativity, embodiment, and sound.
Her work spans a wide range of formats—from aerial yoga and voice-movement improvisation to experimental sound compositions and dance films. She has presented her projects at international festivals and art residencies, including Transcultures, Ponderosa, Užupis Art Incubator, and Kintai Art Residency, where she continues to develop interdisciplinary work that bridges movement, sound, and digital media.
In addition to her artistic practice, Kotryna is actively engaged in cultural initiatives. Through Užiateka and Menų Oazė, she curates and organizes international projects that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. Whether leading creative workshops, designing performances, or facilitating artistic exchanges, her focus remains on creating immersive and dynamic experiences that connect artists and audiences in meaningful ways.
Užiateka (Lt)
Užiateka is a vibrant cultural organization founded in 2019 with a focus on creativity and community. It has become a hub for artistic expression, blending creative arts with well-being and educational initiatives. The organization brings people together through a variety of activities, including interdisciplinary projects, cultural events, and creative workshops.
Užiateka’s approach encourages both personal growth and collective engagement. By combining art, well-being, and education, it offers unique experiences that foster collaboration and open up new possibilities for artistic exploration. Through its media platform, “Užiateka TV,” the organization also shares cultural events, educational sessions, and artist interactions, making creativity accessible to a wider audience.
At its core, Užiateka believes in the power of art to connect people and create meaningful partnerships. Whether locally or internationally, it continues to contribute to the cultural fabric, creating spaces for creativity to thrive and supporting individual and community development.
Informations
- 03.02 > 30.06.2025
- Le Champ des Chevaux / Couvent d’Hautrage
Production
- Transcultures – Užiateka
- In partenship with Le Champ des Chevaux, La Pommeraie, Opaline and La Traverse asbl
