Sheila Ghelani + Sue Palmer (Hathern + Frome)

Common Salt

Wednesday 16 October 2024

3 Centenary Sq
Birmingham, BirminghamB1 2DR United Kingdom
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65 minutes £15/13

Common Salt engages with Britain's colonial history.

Two people, one in an orange dress and one in a green dress are in front of a red gallery wall with a large painting of a queen behind them. They are holding rolled up ties on the table in front of them, looking down at the ties, which are spotlight by an anglepoise lamp. There is a book on a stand and a musical instrument on the table also.

John Hunter

A close up of a table with tiny trees, buildings and a person on a horse. A musical instrument is also on the table.

John Hunter

A hand holds a coin above a box which is overflowing with salt.

Samuel White

A blue book on a stand says ‘COMMON SALT A SHOW AND TELL’. There are shells lined up in front of it and a packet of table salt is next to it.

John Hunter

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Common Salt is a performance around a table – a ‘show and tell’.

It explores the colonial, geographical history of England and India, taking an expansive and emotional time-travel, from the first Enclosure Act and the start of the East India Company in the 1600s, to 21st century narratives of trade, empire and culture.

Sue and Sheila activate insights into our shared past, laying out a ‘home museum’ of objects and stories; of the Great Hedge of India, of borders, and collections – all accompanied by original Shruti box laments.

Common Salt is a reckoning; the interconnectedness between history and global power, artefact and trade, nature and memory is hidden in plain sight.

Common Salt is included in our Bear (AKA Full Week) Pass. Click here for more information about our passes.

Credits

Common Salt is a collaborative work by artists Sheila Ghelani and Sue Palmer.

Common Salt is supported using public funds by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Developed with support from b-side and One Final Act by Rajni Shah Projects

Access

Audience are seated throughout but are free to move if needed. Salt, seeds and flowers are used in the performance.

Fierce Says

Give us objects on a table and we are seated. This is, of course, so much more than that: an engrossing, deeply researched dive into England’s colonial history. We can’t wait.

Details

Wednesday 16 October 2024

5.30pm

Wednesday 16 October 2024

9.00pm