The Holy Gasp, the Toronto-based art-pop collective led by Benjamin Hackman, have unveiled the details of their latest project. Grief, a new performance piece, will be livestreamed from Toronto's Historic Kiever Synagogue on July 1.
Grief will find Hackman reading the names of deceased individuals from a scroll, with the names culled from the Holy Gasp's "Database of the Dead," a website in which anyone can contribute to by submitting names of the deceased. While Hackman reads the list, an ensemble featuring 10 vocalists, two pianists and a percussionist will perform an original composition.
The performance is scheduled to run from sunset on July 1, currently estimated for 9:03 p.m. ET, until sunrise on July 2, currently estimated for 5:41 a.m. ET.
On the origins of the piece, Hackman said in a statement, "I wish to facilitate community and ritual in which it is normal to talk about death, and where people can witness grief and have their grief witnessed in return, if even remotely via live stream and a message board."
Grief will also be performed in American Sign Language and the video will featured closed captioning. The performance was initially planned as an outdoor performance featuring a 30-piece choir, but it was retooled due to COVID-19. According to a press release, the current iteration of the performance "will allow for physical distancing between all performers and every precaution will be implemented."
Watch a video about Grief below. Learn more via the Holy Gasp's website.