"Ghostly Acts"- 2022, Østfold International Theatre, Funded by Viken Fylkeskommune

The performance “Ghostly Acts” explores the specter of caste and violence. By invoking the figure of the ghost, the performance emphasizes how the act of living is the highest form of resistance. In the performance, artist  Durga Bishwokarma explores the ethics of dirt and pollution, shares stories of identity and belonging. She plays with situation of being in-between, with opposites such as serious versus humour and  included versus excluded dynamics. It is a participatory performance where the audience are invited to co-create a non-traditional artistic space and are asked to reflect upon social and cultural inequalities. There are various interactions between performer and spectator. for instance: preparing and cooking a meal for 55 people together.  

Concept and performance: Durga Bishwokarma

Artistic adviser: Thomas Østgaard

Creative adviser: Ram Krishna Ranjan

Scenographer: Oda Holmvik Bredvold

Live music: Ulf Knudsen

Painting music: Øystein Elle

Production by: Østfold International Theatre

Documentation: Alice Vanini Tomola/ Daniel Halvonik

"Nari" 2012
Forum Theatre Nepal

Forum theatre is one of the more commonly used tools for community-based theatre, known as Theatre Of  The Oppressed, developed by Brazilian theatre maker Augusto Boal, as a political tool for change. This practice gives an opportunity to exchange knowledge between theatre and communities and brings them at one discussion platform. It evokes community to raise voice against any kinds of social and political violence or injustice by showcasing a drama piece that tells stories about real conflict and issues that are visible at our society/community. The play invites locals to involve into finding solutions. The format is not about show a piece with the solution, but it is about showing the real problem to find out loudly about what could be the solution.  There will be Narrator, actors; oppressed and suppressed both side playing character and situations. There are several breaks inside a whole play. The narrator at anytime comes and interprets the play, literally coming and saying stop! then everything shift into real space;in real situations. Narrator asks the question to the mass: our play need to find a solution, please do you have any solution? then power shift to the spectator who eventually exchange roles from spectator to spec-actor and play a character. Narrator has a big role here, who always need to be alert and active moderator between spectators and the artists of the play, both sides improvise to make new play but the direction is about bringing ideas to find a solution of different problems and immediately testing out on the spot, all the actors in the play need to be active to jump in the improvising situation to move the play which follows the mass interactions.

Photos: Archives from Shilpee Theatre Nepal

"See you again" 2018
- Fredrikstad

This project is a three hours durational public art intervention, placed at Torvbyen Fredrikstad.  Three artist occupied the non-theatrical space in the middle of the busy shopping mall. The strangers from mixed cultures, identities, and generations meet, drink tea/coffee, share stories and be together at the come and go atmosphere. There are chairs, carpet, cushions, books, tables and coffee/tea set as if people are in the living room, but in an open living room for everyone to enter and create an interactive story sharing space.  The project aims to create an interactive integrative moment as the important values to offer to audience.

Concept: Durga Bishwokarma

Artists: Mari Pitkanen, Gregers Andreas K. Hansen, Durga Bishwokarma 

Documentation: Aksel Pepin

"Collective Mandala" 2019/022
- Various locations in Norway...

“Collective Mandala” is a participatory live art installation, placed at various public spaces around Norway both indoor and outdoor venues. It has set up in a long durational work, presented minimum from 8 hours up to 12 hours durational time frame. Public joined in drawing a giant mandala at the come and go situation, the details of the colorful patterns are shaped by participants. More than 300 youngest to the oldest people have been involved and experienced  this project so far including Ibsen festival 2019, Skien, “Waiting for the sun” event 2019, Black Box Theatre Oslo, and Kulturnatt Fest 2022, Fredrikstad.

Mandalas constructed from colorful sand transmit positive energies to the environment and to the people who view them. Comes from the Buddhism culture. The circular design mandala tells that life is never ending, and everything is connected. The purpose of this project is to call the community to invite into awareness of something larger than individual of small world. It is often utilized to help people  achieve a sense of togetherness with the universe.  

"My wish to have a drink with the immigration officers” 2020, Black Box Theatre Oslo

Presented at the Oslo international theatre Festival at Black Box Theatre oslo. The work tells the personal story about immigration bureaucracy, focuses on finding the narrator’s to replaced them into the “I” position. Inviting people “Is there anyone who works in the immigration office?” and offering them a drink. It is a way to find an artistic version of wishes which regards context.

Performance by Durga Bishwokarma 

Presented by Norwegian Theatre Academy