Under Earth (2o25)

Octavio captured in the nude from behind in a cruising ground of Aquatic Park in Berkeley.
Octavio strokes his bare chest beneath blurred yellow flowers.
Octavio once again at Aquatic Park, facing to the camera as he turns towards the front.

under earth is a ritual of devotion inspired by the gardens and memoirs of queer English filmmaker and AIDS activist Derek Jarman. Through movement, song, and poetic monologue, the performance maps a personal ecology of pleasure, grief and erotic transformation across the boundaries of the Bay Area’s landscapes.

Created, written and performed by Octavio Rose Hingle

Commissioned by Queering Dance Festival

Performance April, 2025 at Counterpulse, SF

Musical composition by Alexandra Archuleta

Videography by Ainsley Tharpe

Photos by Robbie Sweeny

  • Octavio performs on the black marley stage of Counterpulse theater. They wear a transparent lace shirt with lace cravat, gold jewelry and navy tights. They thrust their pelvis forward into a black crutch, which transforms into an object embodiment.

  • An artistically blurred image of Octavio lying on the floor with arms raised.

  • Octavio kicks one foot high as they support themself with two black crutches.

  • Octavio sings to the audience with one outstretched hand; they hold the other to their ear as their naked torso is projected behind them.

  • O raises to hand connected at the wrist, as if rubbing perfume together.

  • O leans forward with arms outstretched; light catches in the transparency of their shirt as a close up of weeds is projected behind them.