The Modes of Al-Ikseer \ Harminder Judge (2011)

The Modes of Al-Ikseer was a live performance that launched AND Festival in 2011, fusing contemporary pop culture, tongue-in-cheek humour and ancient religious imagery. It observes and locates the place of mythology within a world obsessed with capitalism, celebrity and marketing gimmicks.

The project draws on one Hindu myth in particular – the tale of how the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (devils) allied to churn the ocean, thereby creating an elixir of life. Vasuki, the King of the Serpents, was employed as a rope and wrapped around Mount Mandaranchal in order to create the elixir. The first attempt failed, but as the mountain began to sink into the ocean, the god Vishnu appeared as a turtle to support the mountain on his back.

The Modes of Al-Ikseer was funded by Arts Council England, National Initiatives Fund.

Artist: Harminder Judge
Producer: Simon Poulter
Performance/Lighting Design: Rod Maclachlan
Sound Design: Alex Bradley
Sound Development: Jem Noble
Engineering Consultant and Fabrication: Richard Cresswell
Photos: Benedict Johnson