Sound Object & Physical Theater

<Beneath Skin>

Beneath Skin is a physical theatre work that explores the many layers of the inner self, shaped by lived experiences, unspoken longings, and the traces of past struggles. Five performers inhabit five boxes and work with distinct materials on their bodies, pre-recorded sign-language videos, and movement-generated sounds. Through the interaction between gesture, material, and the responding figures on screen, the piece reveals shifting relationships among different inner selves and offers an intimate portrait of how identity is formed, concealed, and transformed.

1 min preview video

Beneath skin lie different selves.

They are expected, categorized, defined, and bound.

They struggle, they resist, they escape.

They are ever-changing, shaped by different desires.

Which one is the real me? Or perhaps each of them is?

Note: Audio clarity may vary in this recording due to the distance between the camera and the performance area.

Objects/Materials

Chen Shuhe Yue — Director & Performer

Iris Sewell — Choreographer & Performer

Jixue Yang — Performer

Suzuna Ikeda — Performer

Ying Wang — Performer

To create the installation, build a total of five boxes using aluminum-extrusion frames. Insert white PVC panels for the sides and bottom, and use a transparent acrylic sheet for the front face. Mount an LED light strip along the lower edge of the acrylic panel, securing it with magnets or Velcro so it can be easily adjusted or removed. Assemble the structure with magnetic joints so that the side panel can open for access. Among the five boxes, three should open from the right side of the front panel, and the remaining two should open from the left, following the same construction method.

The five performers wear skin-tone base layers, with each body wrapped in a different material.
The first performer (Paper) is wrapped with an inner layer of old newspaper and an outer layer of large baking parchment sheets, secured with transparent tape.
The second performer (Plastic) has an inner layer of plastic wrap and an outer layer of bubble wrap.
The third performer (Foil) is wrapped in aluminum foil, which should remain smooth and unwrinkled at the beginning of the performance.
The fourth performer (Fabric) wears multiple layers of clothing, with inner layers that can be removed easily and an outer jacket with a zipper.
The fifth performer wears no additional material, leaving the skin exposed.

The actions of the five performers inside the boxes are also filmed, creating the illusion of a real-time exhibition when presented during the live performance.

The video consists of pre-recorded sign-language gestures. During the live performance, the performers repeat these gestures and introduce variations, producing sound through their movements and the materials wrapped around their bodies.

There is no score, script, or written material for this work. Under the direction of Chen Shuhe Yue and the choreography of Iris Sewell, the performers developed the piece collectively through an extended series of rehearsals.