The Nervous Atmosphere
A Haunting Sound Performance
About
The Nervous Atmosphere is a haunting solo performance by cellist, composer and theatre-maker Zoë Barry, exploring her real-life experience of being struck by lightning three times. Through live cello, text and striking design, this powerfully evocative work examines the strange symptoms, chaos and psychological impact of this bizarre and terrifying encounter with nature.
Combining Barry's personal experience with her fascination with late nineteenth century parascientific investigations—a time when science, medicine, spiritualism and psychoanalysis crossed over in curious ways—the work becomes a hypnotic meditation on fear, consciousness and vibration. The Nervous Atmosphere captures the awe, rupture and isolation of facing forces beyond our control, then navigates a pathway back to connection and grounding.
Collaborators
Awards
2024 Nomination, APRA AMCOS Art Music awards, Work of the Year – Dramatic
Presentation History
2023 Arts House, Australia [13-17 Sept]
Reviews
'a sublime theatrical poem.'
'Mesmerising stage craft, sublime lighting and stunning orchestrations'
'Vulnerable questions about humanity, survival and the very nature of existence itself.'
'… electric piece of performance art.'
'Visually and sonically stunning.'
Partners
Conceived in 2019 during residencies at the Lucid Art Foundation, Northern California, and Historical Damsite, New Mexico, the work was further developed to design concept in May 2022 through Arts House CultureLab.
