Archive of Desire

Archive of Desire is a multidisciplinary production combining live music, poetry, and visual art, created for the 160th anniversary of the birth of Greek poet C. P. Cavafy. The performance is set to the images of a constellation of abstract works by artist Julie Mehretu. An exaltation of desire, Robin Coste Lewis, Julie Mehretu, Vijay Iyer, and Jeffrey Zeigler meditate collaboratively on the sensuality of Cavafy, diaspora, and the liminal spaces present everywhere in his work. The performance draws inspiration from Cavafy’s archive, processing the sonic, visual, and cultural tones found in his poetry through recitation, live music, electronics, and new visual work.