Abandoned Minds

Abandoned Minds is an immersive site specific solo performance with strongly pronounced visual and auditive elements. The project was born out of the curiosity of performative artist Rui Paixão and choreographer Brandon Lagaert to fuse both the world and inner logic of circus, dance and theatre.

This hybrid of different art forms and interests is exactly what links KAIHO and Holy Clowns, together with the search for a cinematic aesthetic which in itself relays the atmosphere, the need or lack thereof of words and acting, the body as a focal point of the performance, the narrative as a red thread without the need for linearity and the desire to delve into the depths of human depravity.

The performance follows the story of a man working as the tour guide battling with the dilapidated buildings that he voluntarily surrounds himself with on a daily basis. Over time the deserted place confronts him with his inner demons which he tries to overcome by focussing on a simple job.

While exploring deeper inside of the environment only his body has the possibility to communicate what human language can’t. While he’s slowly losing touch with reality, we are confronted with the reality that this might end up becoming his last visit.

Embraced by deep silence that once used to frighten me
I excavate under a contorted structure looming over the barren landscape
Nothing more than to extract some simple pleasure from the execution of a task well done

In the end, I am nothing but a pile of dust, blowing in the wind.

About Rui Paixão

Rui Paixão is a highly innovative Portuguese street performer whose work frequently involves collaboration with the public. GODOT, HANNO, LEASH, Irredutivel and A L B A N O are various solos that Rui has created and toured throughout since 2015. His latest show KINSKI, revolves around the story of an unemployed actor who slowly turns into a human-sized rat.

While Rui uses different elements from the clown as a figure, he does not solely identify as such because portraying the archetype of a clown is not his end goal.

His work is housed under the name Holy Clowns with which he collaborates with various artists from the world of circus, dance, theatre and film.

Artistic direction: Brandon Lagaert
Creation & performance: Rui Paixão
Filmed & edited: Telmo Soares
Sound design: Brandon Lagaert & Telmo Soares

Production: Holy Clowns & KAIHO

Co-production: MALACATE & EEA Grants Portugal

Artistic residency supported by MALACATE

Premiere: 19th & 20th of April 2023 / Mina de São Domingos, Portugal