OCTO MUM

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TEXT VERSION

The performer wears a grey, shiny, bodysuit which covers from the top of the head to the ankles. Eyes covered with goggles, only the nose and mouth of the performer are visible.

A purple mesh-like veil hangs loosely from the top of the head to the floor. The outline of the performer is noticeable under the semi-transparent veil which is also adorned with pearls.

On the head, over the top of the veil, the performer wears a wide-brimmed hat. Hanging off the brim of the hat are tassels in colours of pink, purple and blue. Poking out of the top of the hat is a bunch of short, shiny silver streamers.

Attached to the bottom of the veil is a bright, round, hot pink, yellow and orange hoop which touches the floor.

Although from a distance the bodysuit appears grey and shiny, upon closer inspection, it consists of a black stretchy fabric covered in small mirror-like rectangular shapes, spread an equal distance apart, which reflect colour and light. Scattered over the material are small silver dots which adds to the shimmering effect. Two patches made of silver rope that have been spiralled into a circular shape, are positioned on the chest of the performer over the top of the bodysuit.

Loose flowing fabric that is the same as the bodysuit is attached from the wrist to the calf so when the performer’s arms extend outward to the side, it looks like a sting ray. Lining the edge of these ‘wings’ are silver tassels. When the performer moves, the tassels swing about.

Also underneath the veil, the figure wears a set of goggles. The sides and front of the goggles are made of a silver rope and the lenses are completely black, giving the appearance of big, oversized, googly eyes.

OCTO MUM will be playing a vibraphone; the only performer who will be playing an instrument throughout the performance.

Of this costume, HOSSEI says, “The music is the soul of the work; it embodies this mother disco sting ray-type costume…much like all costumes, it felt right to go down this ABBA, body suit, 60s/70s vibe, something ballroom about it too…OCTO MUM summons all her children for a dance.”