The Home is in the Heart. The House. The Gates.

The Home is in the Heart: The House. The Gates. is the first installment of experimental music, sound and technology-based theater pieces that reflect on a personal immigrant history, in many ways unique and in many ways shared with a sizeable immigrant population. The House explores notions of longing and belonging inspired by my Slovakian roots. The work is based on the memories of my late grandmother Darina and her house, a place of rich family history that was recently sold. Interviews with Darina, photography by Mariana Kojšová and personal audio and video documentation of the house meet in a performance featuring vocal, instrumental and technology elements. Memories set us up for the future. The House launches a journey into the heart of an immigrant. Join the expedition!

Longing has defined generations of travelers
moving through the woods, oceans and deserts
looking for peace, adventure, food

in hope to find at least one
they bargain with their passing existence

reconfigured by nature
reconfigured by neighbors, tribal leaders and governors

approval and disdain,
laughter and tears

holding weapons,
holding flags,
holding mothers

ths immigrants speak of primordial movement that unsettles those who have forgotten

into pain, into blissful memories, into constant being

telling my immigrant story begins here; the first one: at the gates of my grandmother’s house.

(Juraj Kojš)