Rainmaking

Embodied in the traditional Chinese game “Chinese Rope Weaving” and inspired by the Chinese folk superstition, Rainmaking is an interactive performance that discusses what collective will really means today while providing an engaging and interactive experience.

Finger Rope Weaving is a popular child game in China: two children use a small rope to make various patterns with their fingers. Meanwhile, a folk belief has it that by continually weaving the rope, people can gain control over the weather and make it rain. Inspired by this superstition, the Stereotype Art Collective created the performance Rainmaking: rather than using small ropes on fingers, we used a rope of 30 meters to play Rope Weaving, and invited spectators to take part in the game to achieve a joint effort for rainmaking. During the performance, all participants worked collectively, using their body and wisdom to solve the rope puzzles.

Co-created by Flo Yuting Zhu, Siyang Chen, Jingyi Guo and Gefei Liu

First performed at 2019 Wuzhen Theatre Festival