Friday, April 11 @ 6:30 – 8pm
Location: Washburn Observatory, 1401 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI
Who owns the moon? A two-act performance questioning the ethics and colonial implications of space exploration from the moon’s perspective.
Doors open at 6pm, with a telescope viewing at 8:15 to 9pm. Please show up on time (show starts 7pm) as to not disrupt the performance.
Luna Nullius takes its name from the Latin phrase ‘Terra Nullius’ meaning “nobody’s land.” ‘Terra Nullius’ was a legal concept used to justify European colonization, by claiming land was unoccupied and therefore available for settlement. Space exploration as a field is rife with colonial logic. While Luna Nullius is not against space exploration for science discovery—the work seeks to question the ethics of space exploration as well as the earthly politics involved.
This two-act play seeks to revisit the moon through an ecofeminist lens, telling the story of Moon’s relationship with humanity from her perspective. Originally, inspired by the lead artist’s conversation with a Thai-Chinese elder on the significance of the Chinese Moon Festival (“Kids these days don’t care for the Moon anymore, not since we’ve stepped on her”), Luna Nullius urges the audience to contemplate the multilayered patriarchal violence that feels inescapable even to a celestial body.
Trigger warning for bright lights, allusions to sexual assault, and mentions of animal abuse. For ages 15 and up.
Written & Directed by
BLUE & Claudia Krogmeier
Cast:
Moon — BLUE
Earth — Kayla Soren
Crew:
Ceramics — Molly Green & Joshuah Holbrook
Neon — Daniella Thach
Lighting — Henry Burk
Curator — Brianna Cole