NAIMA JORIS: ‘O’

NAIMA JORIS: ‘O’ 

An audiovisual show about the magical underwater world. Naima Joris plays an improvisational set on images of microscopic plankton by Dutch filmmaker-photographer Jan van IJken.

Van IJken filmed plankton through his microscopes, revealing the beauty of these tiny organisms. As everyone knows, our survival is threatened by global warming. Few know, however, that phytoplankton are both the main processor of greenhouse gases and the largest primary oxygen producer on Earth. However, these saving, floating microorganisms, on which we thus depend, are also threatened by ocean acidification.

The common denominator between these little creatures and Naima Joris? Breathing. Guided by Van IJken’s wondrous images and her fascination with both breathing and water, Naima plays a magical improvisational set.

This performance is named “O,” referring to the circle of life – because without plankton, no life is possible – and to “eau,” the French word for water. Be amazed by nature and music!

‘O’ had its premiere in October 2023 at VIDEODROOM (VIERNULVIER x Film Fest Gent) and in the Netherlands at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

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Naima Joris made her impressive debut in 2021 with a self-titled EP. On it: five black-rimmed, intense songs that try to give a place to the pain and sorrow surrounding the loss of a loved one. With the singles “Soon,” “Bellybutton” and “My Home,” Naima immediately managed to deliver a strong calling card. The title of Radio 1 Belpop Belofte, a tasted passage in ‘Vive le Vélo’ and an MIA nomination in the ‘Breakthrough’ category are just a few of the many highlights that followed.A tribute to Daniel Johnston, with whom she feels related, was released in 2022 (‘Tribute to Daniel Johnston’), followed by her first full album ‘While The Moon’ (2022).

Dutch filmmaker-photographer Jan van IJken works at the intersection between art and science. His most recent work reveals natural secrets such as the murmuration of starlings, the emergence of life and the invisible world of microscopic plankton. He is interested in microscopy, nature, biology, evolution and embryology.