Abha Tori. Autobiographical Portrait Towards the 9 is a toroidal, transdisciplinary, and immersive experience, created during the final stage of my PhD research. It embodies my journey as a migrant artist, reflecting the transformation I underwent during my studies and first years in Aotearoa.

It also reflects the numerous moments in which I had to reinvent myself by creating subtle dialogues and rituals at home to offer a farewell song to my loved ones to whom I did not get to see or say a proper goodbye during the pandemic.

Abha Tori traces my spiritual journey—surrender, death of the old self, rebirth, and the toroidal cycle of falling and rising—alongside my search for oneness through devotion, meditation and creativity. Designed for intimate groups of up to nine, this site-specific experience unfolds over 65 minutes.

Vivian Medina | Concept, artistic direction,

dramaturgy & choreography

Daniel Ortiz | Music composer/producer | Guitar, lute, ngoni, cajon & gaita

David Yates | Music collaborator | Hammered

dulcimer & Kalimba

Milena Parobczy | Music collaborator | Violin

Nabulen Ignacio | Videographer

Natalia Ortiz | Performance photography

Special thanks to Shiv Charan Singh, Dr Becca Weber, Dr Emma Willis and Dance studies department The University of Auckland.