Mundus Transfiguratus
Towards a Queer Ecological Mythology
Mundus Transfiguratus depicts an alternate mythological world where queer transmogrified beings reclaim centre stage and challenge dominant narratives of human supremacy. Through immersive installations and performances, the project unfolds as an experimental, participatory psychodrama interweaving fiction and reality, legend and biography. It explores themes of conflict, displacement, and trauma, while also celebrating hope, love, and the resilience of those who overcome adversity.
Part 1. The Journeys of Cliza
Cliza @ Villa Borghese (2022)
Cliza, a warrior and a descendant of Turiacus, roams through the Villa Borghese at night, seeking other warriors to form her own House.
The Occupation (2022)
Having founded their own House, Cliza and their warriors occupy the library at the British School at Rome.
Resin on ancient marble pedestal (by courtesy of BSR), 40 cm x 5 cm, 2022.
Resin on ancient marble pedestal (by courtesy of BSR), 40 cm x 5 cm, 2022.
Richard Lassel, The Voyage of Italy, 1670 (by courtesy of BSR).
Resin on ancient marble pedestal (by courtesy of BSR), 40 cm x 5 cm, 2022.
Preparation for Battle (2022)
In preparation for battle, Cliza and their retinue set up an itinerant court in the subterranean bowels of Cosmo Trastevere, in Rome.
Reel By Cosmo Trastevere
The Banquet (2022)
At the battle of Transterrum, Oretta, a descendant of Triton and the head of the House with their namesake, defeats the House of Cliza. To celebrate their victory, Oretta hosts a banquet in Rome. The heads of other houses from neighbouring lands attend the celebrations. But Cliza, who was presumed dead, storms the event with their warriors and murders Oretta and the other dignitaries.
After the Banquet, the Oracle visits Oretta and prophesies their death:
You are a flower
You are a red flower
You are a red flower full of love
You are a red flower in a lake of blood
You are no longer
You are no longer here
You are no longer now
You are no longer tomorrow
There is flower
There is lake
There is love
There is blood
But there is no longer you
Karlota's Journey (2022)
After murdering Oretta and the other dignitaries, Cliza sets off to lay claim to the lands of those they slaughtered and travels first to the lands of Karlota, a descendant of Odin and head of the House of Karlota. However, Karlota survived the attack and speedily returns to their queerdom. Who will prevail?
Part 2. The Queerdom of Brightwyna
The House of Brightwyna at Holy Trinity (2026)
The House of Brightwyna takes residence at Holy Trinity in Cloudesley Square and hosts Thorne, the human-flora diviner and guardian of the ancient Lusitanian Deck of divination cards. Those who visit Brightwyna are offered divinatory card readings by Thorne, whilst also encountering Brightwyna’s landscape divinations and marvelling at their collection of votive warriors.
Part 3. The Realm of the Diviners
The Cave of the Oracle (2026)
As we enter the realm of the diviners, we descend into the Cave of the Oracle, where the ruling Houses of Mundus Transfiguratus stand in attendance. The Oracle has summoned Thorne, whilst Cliza lingers nearby, poised to strike when the hour ripens.
