DieciDee: The Performative Intersection Between Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Vibes

In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary performance art, DieciDee stands out as a profound fusion of ancient wisdom and modern exploration. This groundbreaking project, envisioned and executed by AMÆMI, delves deeply into Tantric tradition while integrating the dynamic elements of sound, movement, and urban reality.

Our Music Editor, AMÆMI, a multifaceted artist with expertise in Tantric practice, sex education, and experimental DJing, brings a rich and profound depth to DieciDee. With a background in Theatre Academies, Philosophy, and Sex Education degrees, complemented by a certification as a Tantric Yoga Teacher, AMÆMI blends her academic and spiritual knowledge into a unique performing art form. Her work as a sound and body performer aims to craft an immersive experience that transcends conventional boundaries, creating a space where the ancient meets the contemporary.

The core of DieciDee lies in its mission to create an immersive environment through a synthesis of mantras, live music, and Tantric yoga movements. This convergence tells a story of elevation free from judgment. AMÆMI’s musical approach is an eclectic journey through unusual sonorities—an intricate blend of ambient melodies, ancestral vibrations, robotic pulses, and psychedelic notes. This rich auditory tapestry is complemented by ritualistic dance and yoga positions that juxtapose Western life with the esoteric sensuality of Tantric rituals.

DieciDee’s stage design is both visually striking and symbolically potent. It features a pink metallic structure adorned with a three-shaped cloth, evoking a uterine system and representing the Ten Main Goddesses of the Tantric tradition. Each goddess embodies a unique energy essential for self-knowledge and achieving personal completeness. The lighting system plays a crucial role in this symbolic representation. The lights change shapes and intensity, mirroring the goddesses' dynamic nature and their manifestations. For instance, the illumination might shift from sensual and soft to harsh and destructive, reflecting the transformation of inner energies. These changes in lighting represent the fluctuating intensity and focus of one's inner energy, from nurturing to destructive forms. “The lights manifest the goddess, our inner energy changing in intensity and aim—from sensual to destroyer,” AMÆMI explains. “They reflect the dynamic and multifaceted nature of our internal states.”

AMÆMI’s philosophical research behind DieciDee is deeply rooted in a blend of spiritual and contemporary influences. Her work draws from Tantric texts such as Tantra Loka and other ancient scriptures, which explore the essence of the divine feminine and the transformative power of Tantric practices. At the same time, she integrates Western philosophical perspectives, including nihilism and cyberfeminism as articulated by thinkers like Donna Haraway. These influences are woven into her performance, creating a dialogue between ancient spiritual traditions and contemporary philosophical concerns.

AMÆMI’s overarching objective is to honor the ancient Tantric tradition while adapting it to contemporary contexts. "My goal is to break through the fourth wall with the energy acquired through years of devoted and conscious study of these Tantric goddesses, aiming to develop and enhance my personal creative, expressive, and transformative power.” She aims to present Tantric knowledge on stage with respect and devotion, blending yogic movements with ancestral music and metallic, alien sounds. Her movements on stage range from graceful and dance-like to robotic and disjointed, reflecting both her respect for tradition and her urban origins.

"I am always very aware of the issue of cultural appropriation," AMÆMI asserts. "The goal is never to distort or flaunt Tantric knowledge. Instead, I strive to honor these Eastern teachings while staying true to my Western origins. I see myself as a channel for transmitting these teachings, but I constantly remind myself and the audience of the spaces I occupy, showing that technology, urban realities, and constructed environments are integral to our existence."

During DieciDee’s performance, one witnesses a continuous oscillation between ritualistic moments and modern dissonance. AMÆMI’s movements range from serene, intense yogic poses to more fragmented, almost robotic gestures. Between each Goddess track, the performance introduces dissonant and jarring sounds, creating a sense of disturbance that symbolizes a departure from inner tranquility. "It’s the moment when an overdose of technology, the fast-paced capitalist world, and the harsh urban context distract from inner growth, craving success, affirmation, and social approval. It is when the inner light dims, making it impossible to connect with the energy source at the base of the spine, between the emotional center (intestines) and the sexual pulse (uterus). Everything becomes clouded," AMÆMI reflects.

The performance also features dramatic shifts in lighting, integral to its narrative. The projections that usually adorn the stage intermittently disappear, symbolizing the struggle to maintain a connection with one’s inner self amidst overwhelming external pressures. “In those moments, the light of inner growth blurs, and connecting with that energetic source becomes difficult due to external distractions,” AMÆMI explains. The lights changing shapes and intensity manifest the fluctuating nature of the goddesses and the energy they embody, from nurturing to destructive forms.

AMÆMI’s authenticity on stage is evident in her seamless integration of various cultural influences and movement styles. Having lived in Granada—a city rich in Arabic and Titan culture—she incorporates elements of belly and tribal dance into her performance. These movements are deeply connected to the rhythms and energies of ancient traditions, creating a performance that is both authentic and innovative. Attending one of her shows reveals a profound respect for the traditions she represents, combined with a fresh and personal interpretation that respects both the spiritual and urban dimensions of her work.

DieciDee is not merely a performance but a profound commentary on the intersection of ancient tradition and contemporary reality. AMÆMI’s work serves as a celebration of both Eastern spirituality and Western experiences. By highlighting the delicate balance between sacred and secular, light and shadow, good and evil, DieciDee challenges its audience to reflect on their own paths. "The point of the performance," AMÆMI notes, "is to continuously illustrate the fine line that divides right from wrong, good from bad, showing them as facets of a single reality. It is through this expressive energy that we shape and transform the world around us."

Through DieciDee, AMÆMI invites audiences to embark on a journey of self-discovery and balance, reminding them of the transformative potential that lies within the integration of diverse elements of our existence.

Article by @danieleverse

Performance by @amaemi00101

Photography by @al.icr

Videography @35jumpelia

Wearing @bergie.giorgiandreazza

Styling @golden_virginia

Make-up @annaverzeroli_mua

Set design @ledemiurgefou

Lighting @pixel_aggression

Touch design @perfezionamento.k

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