I Found A Dead Bird
Performance, 30 mins, Forma Arts and Meida, 2023, London, UK. Photo courtesy of Forma
Performance, 30 mins, Ugly Duck, 2022, London, UK. Photo courtesy of Ysmine Akim

Sharing the same title with River’s last film, I Found a Dead Bird is a live performance focused on a mourning ceremony. The performance presents River Cao’s sad reflection on the resurrect of marginalized queer identities in the waters of Southern China. As the identity of a dead bird’s body is prophetically revealed with an eerie sense of contentment, the performance explores private landscapes, specters, and connections among mourners. The journey is guided by flutes and bells.

I Found a Dead Bird as a performance project was supported by Ugly Duck (UK) and it was initially performed at Ugly Duck Disturbance Festival from November 10th to 12th, 2022.