Anima Mundi (Degenerate Art Ensemble’s current work under development), is an immersive exploration into the connection lost and found that humanity has with the intricate tapestry of the natural world. Rooted in a sense of urgency fueled by the existential climate crisis, this project seeks to explore the complexities of our disconnection and inspire transformative reconnection. It is a sensorial journey that traverses realms of awareness, ceremonial reawakening, and the haunting realities of our impact on the environment. Anima Mundi - Amnesia delves into Animist traditions that once harmonized human existence with nature. It uses ceremony and ritual, inspired by the timeless ways in which humanity has sought to rekindle its bond with the natural world. However, it doesn't shy away from confronting the stark horrors of modern factory farming and other forms of nature-exploitation.

The project intricately weaves together various artistic mediums, transcending conventional boundaries to create a multi-dimensional narrative. Embodied movement becomes a language, a conduit through which the audience communes with the forgotten rhythms of the Earth. Sculpture, as a tactile representation, bridges the gap between the corporeal and the ethereal. Layered projected video immerses the audience in the juxtaposition of nature's beauty and the harsh reality of its degradation. Vibrational sound permeates the space, resonating with the heartbeat of the Earth. Experimentation with and destruction of the boundaries that separate artistic mediums is a constant in our work. The inventing of new instruments, transformation of projection surfaces, breaking stylistic patterns of movement, transformation of space and audience relationship are all prioritized in the creation of our new work - all with the goal of finding new means of expression and new paths to collective awakening.

The project also explores feminine power as a force of nurturing, creation, and resilience in the face of environmental upheaval. The performance summons supernatural beings — ethereal entities representing the collective consciousness of the Earth — as a poignant reminder of the unseen forces intertwined with our ecosystem.

Haruko Crow Nishimura: Artistic Director / Performer

Joshua Kohl: Composer / Musician / Producer

Premiere slated for Fall of 2025

COMING PERFORMANCES (works in progress)

November 9th 2024 at YAW Studio, with Shin Yu Pai and Leanna Keith

RECENT PERFORMANCES (works in progress)

May 11th 2024 at The Grocery Studios - an Alchemic Event to support Anima Mundi

June 19th 2023 at the Seattle International Dance Festival

June 6th 2021 at the Performance Mix Festival 2021 (New York)