The Earth Asleep at HOME, Manchester

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
The Earth Asleep at HOME, Manchester
HOME

The Earth Asleep at HOME Manchester, Manchester 31 March — 11 September 2021 Entrance is free — Visit now

UPDATE: The Earth Asleep will premiere on 11 March on BFI Player to mark the 10th anniversary of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Catch the live screening at HOME on 10 and 11 September.  

If the British anthropologist Robin Dunbar’s popular theory that humans only have the capacity to maintain around 150 meaningful interpersonal connections at once is true, then it’s no wonder that the culture of 24/7 new cycles and mass media in which we live has an alienating effect. As stories of extreme trauma caused by war, suffering and natural disaster are beamed directly to us from all sides of the globe, how are we to process such information and the related grief on a manageable, human scale?

This question sits at the heart of The Earth Asleep, a new feature-length film by Manchester-based visual artist Clara Casian (House on the Borderland) with original live score by composer Robin Richards (Dutch Uncles), set to premiere this spring as part of HOME‘s theatre programme. The work follows on from the creative duo’s 2016 collaboration, Birdsong – Stories from Pripyat, which explored the impact of Chernobyl on our collective cultural memory; this time centering upon the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed over 10,000 people. In making the work, both artists travelled to Otsuchi, a village in remote North-East Japan that was all but wiped out by the event, to document and observe the experiences of local residents.

Ambitious and haunting, The Earth Asleep fuses film, poetry, live music, archival news footage and survivor accounts to guide viewers through a deeper way of engaging with the distant pain of others. If Birdsong is anything to go by, this promises to be one of the most impactful cinematic experiences of 2021.

The Earth Asleep at HOME Manchester, Manchester 31 March — 11 September 2021 Entrance is free Visit now

Performances

Date
Time
Session Features
31 March 2021
7:30pm — 8:45pm
1 April 2021
7:30pm — 8:45pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on at HOME Manchester

After the Act at HOME
TheatreManchester
After the Act at HOME

The ever-brilliant Breach Theatre bring a new scorching protest musical that traces the infamous Section 28 anti-gay legislation.

from £15.00

Where to go near The Earth Asleep at HOME, Manchester

The Lawton Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
The Lawton

Thanks to its lime green-painted brick frontage, this family-friendly guest house certainly stands out from the crowd in Blackpool.

The Ruskin Hotel
Blackpool
Hotel
The Ruskin

Sitting in the shadow of the town’s famous Blackpool Tower, this established three star hotel is popular for its handy location and family-friendly pricing.

Traditional green and beige tram in blackpool
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Heritage Tram Tours

Embark on a unique and educational journey along the famous Blackpool Tramway, on board the best of the iconic Heritage Trams.

Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Sandcastle Waterpark

Bring the whole family together for a day of fun, thrills and exciting aquatic adventures at Sandcastle Waterpark.

© Merlin Entertainments 2024
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Blackpool Tower Eye

Experience one of the country’s most well-known landmarks in a whole new way. Brave the glass SkyWalk, head to the 4D cinema, or soak up the views at Bar 380.

Blackpool Tower Circus
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Circus

Visit the oldest permanent circus in the world, showcasing some truly jaw-dropping stunts from contortionists, acrobats and trapeze acts.

Pendle witch scaring visitors at Blackpool Dungeons
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

With interactive shows and an impressive drop ride, you’re guaranteed thrills, screams and entertainment at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon.

What's on: Exhibitions

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.