Step into the forest, awaken the magic, and become part of a ritual to save the world.
The Children of the Compost, they are the speakers for the living and the dead. You have stepped into a place where the past is restless and the future is uncertain.
The Children of the Compost call to you, their voices woven from soil, decay, and the whispering breath of all that once was. They do not mourn the dead—they carry their wisdom. They do not fear the future—they are building it from what remains.
In this ritual, you are neither observer nor intruder. You are witness. You are kin. You are invited to listen, to learn, to unearth what has been buried.
What will you carry forward?
What will you let return to the soil?
The compost is never silent. The question is—are you ready to hear it speak?
Rituals for Earthly Survival
Portsmouth artist collective one000plateaus staged “Rituals for Earthly Survival,” an immersive audiovisual experience that invited you to step into an enchanted forest unlike any other. Inspired by the Japanese art form of Butoh, this unique event fusesed video, sound, movement, and scenography to create a mystical journey where you could encounter forest spirits, forage for tree seeds, and become part of the magic.
Local artists from the one000plateuas arts collective came together to bring you an experience that blended immersive projections, 360° soundscapes, and interactive encounters. As you move through the forest, you will find yourself entangled in the world of “The Children of the Compost”—a place where humans, plants, and the more-than-human are one. It’s a playful yet mysterious invitation to reconnect with nature, feel its rhythms, and rediscover your place within the delicate web of life.
The Event Details Were
We invited the audience to expect the unexpected, to immerse themselves in the magic, and experience a new way of seeing the world. To join the Children of the Compost, and let the ritual begin.
- Dates: Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd, and Saturday 23rd November 2024
- Times: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Location: Treadgolds, 1 Bishop Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DA
Download the Rituals for Earthly Survival Self Evaluation Report here!
Credits
Rituals for Earthly Survival is produced by one000plateaus and created by Roy Hanney, Yumino Seki, Rusty Sheriff, Kim Balouch, Sasha Biloshsky, Alice Kristina Rose and John Ashlin.
Choreography: Yumino Seki.
Assistant Choreography: Sasha Biloshsky.
Video Artists: Kim Balouch, Tash Dupker and Rachel Jones.
Sound Artists: Rusty Sheriff and Los Dave.
Movement Artists: Caroline Broadbent, Anna Barzotti, Kate Jones, Charlie Lockwood, Olana Light, Maja Wass, and Lydia Perifanou.
Actors: Francesca McCrohon and George Craik.
Scenography: Alice Kristina Rose and Olana Light.
Forest Floor: Thank you Colas for providing the leaves.
Production Team: Roy Hanney, John Ashlin, Jan Galazewski, Kate McGill, Lucy Minick and Raluca Cristache.
Videography & Documentation: Matthew Tunnell.
Volunteers: Jafar Alshafeey, Abdulrahman Algubani, Aziz Djalilov, Abdelaziz Bebe, Irina Martynovich, Uliana Martynovich, Malcolm Drew, Kawain, Li Peng.
Solent University Tech Team: Neil Brooming, Bryn Adams, August Moore, Josh Parkhouse, Sophie McClure, Jonty Beales, Jonathan Bendor-Samuel.
Community Partners: Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, Action Asylum, Portsmouth Tree Wardnes, Let’s Grow Together, John Pounds Community Garden.
one000plateaus is an experimental artist collective dedicated to creating immersive, multidisciplinary experiences that blend art, nature, and community engagement. Established with the aim of blurring boundaries between the imagination and reality, the collective brings together a diverse range of artists, including visual creators, sound designers, movement practitioners, and scenographers, to create powerful and transformative works.
“Rituals for Earthly Survival” is the latest endeavour by one000plateaus, marking the third collaboration with We Shine Portsmouth. Following the captivating “Imaginarium of Dreams” in 2021, which transported audiences to a world of collective imagination, and the mesmerizing “Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures” in 2022, which explored the depths of the ocean through a playful yet reflective lens, this year’s project delves into the heart of the forest and our connection with the natural world.
For more on their work and ongoing projects, visit one000plateaus.com.
Sponsors & Partners
Rituals for Earthly Survival is supported by Lottery funding from Arts Council England with additional funding from Sasakawa Foundation and Japan Foundation.
Community partners include Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, Action Asylum, Portsmouth Tree Wardnes, Let’s Grow Together, John Pounds Community Garden.
