Change of Heart

a small scale studio performance based on research
into the testimonies of heart transplantees & creatively developed with object play, puppetry and animation.

“Challenging imagery – superbly presented”

“Strong subjects placed with hard hitting images”

“A very moving performance”

A one woman studio show performed with shadows, object manipulation, and animation to tell the true stories of heart transplant patients. Behind the scenes of the carnival, we see an ordinary suitcase transform with many extraordinary stories inside. From research in to the collected statements of heart transplantees who confess the most amazing details in their change of habits, gender and attitudes, even to the extent of the donors killer being caught!

Rachel Riggs uses objects as symbolic metaphors to tell these tales in a 40 min live performance red teaser of a piece. With a specially composed soundtrack & animations, time stops as we connect with our heartbeat. The heart is explored as an object of extreme emotional resonance which carries memories into the new body. There are many personal testimonies of direct experience from transplantees about the influence of the donor of the heart, sometimes with personality changes, often food cravings and recalling unrelated memories.

A Mcdonalds hamburger speaks of changing from vegetarian to carnivore, and sexual orientation. A child tells of why he can't play with that toy anymore, but doesn't know why. And a white man with a black man's heart confronts his racism...

Low key animation tells the story of an 8 year old girl who received the heart of a 10 year old who had been murdered: the girl had such powerful nightmares, that she was able to tell the Police exactly what had happened and who had committed the crime, eventually convicting the murderer.

Using my professional art form of puppetry and working with various techniques including object, table top, stop frame & digital animation, toy theatre and shadow projections. I create an intimate performance for an adult audience, asking audience members to participate and pick a card which tells of a heart transplant experience.

This is a miniature performance to explore the emotional impact of our feelings, as we imagine losing our heart - and ask ourselves, how can another's very life being become part of our own?

'In addition to the historical research that informs her work, Rachel impresses by the breath of her artistic interpretation, which includes site-specific installations and animating the past through shadow-plays and film. Her work was very well received by an appreciative audience' Amanda Draper - Keeper of Fine Art, Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Performed at in the UK the Nuffield Theatre, the Royal Exchange, the Green Room - Uk