These Roots Never Blossomed
These Roots Never Blossomed (2025)
These Roots Never Blossomed (2025) is a performance by Sana Ghobbeh, developed from her research project Sugar Cubes, an exploration of the historic industrial ties between Belgium and Iran in the sugar industry. I was invited by the artist to collaborate across several phases of the creation.
Research
I assisted in the artistic research for Sugar Cubes, including gathering and producing visual material.
Outside eye and performer coaching
Since Sana was both creator and sole performer, she asked me to act as outside eye, drawing on my own experience as a performer. During studio sessions I worked with her on voice and melody, diction, body and stillness, and the quality of her stage presence. I also took part in the ideation process of the performance.
Poster image
I co-developed the concept for the poster through brainstorming with the artist, then created and edited the photograph.
Postcard (part of the performance)
I created and edited the postcard that was handed to the audience as an integral element of the performance.
Performance photography and trailer
Two dedicated performances without an audience were organised for me. During the first, I created photographs based on my own artistic reading of the work, its concept and its story. During the second, I directed and filmed the shots for the trailer. The trailer was developed in meetings with Sana and with Arezoo [surname] (set designer), then shot and edited by me.
