The Glass Essays

The Glass Essay is a performance lecture by artist River Yuhao Cao that expands on his recent film of the same name. The evening draws from traditions of mourning and the performative language of Southern China–particularly the mobile funeral stage-truck–to create a shared space where individual memory and collective resonance converge.

The event weaves together a guided walk*, live mourning performances, a performance lecture and a screening of ‘The Glass Essays’. Through hums and musical gestures, you will encounter mourning and tremor as intertwined forces–fluid, sonic and communal.

The evening extends the bodily and conceptual terrain of River’s film ‘The Glass Essays’. Inspired by Anne Carson’s skeletal image, the film experiments with mourning as a psychoanalytic method in filmmaking, and a way into fluid identities and queerness. The work is shaped by River’s experience growing up queer in a small Southern Chinese town and memories of his grandparents who performed in funeral processions with a mobile truck-stage in Nanxin, Hunan. Looking at lamentation in regional Chinese cultures through a queer lens, the film uses ritual and fluidity to confront the past and its ghosts.

*The night walk will take place only if weather permits.

• A small-group event taking place after dark
• Entry through the designated park gate between 6:30–7pm only (no late entry)
• A short guided night walk through the park for 15-20 minutes (weather permitting)
• Gentle invitations to participate, including humming and listening exercises
• Live sound, voice and mourning performance
• A performance lecture
• A screening of The Glass Essays (17 mins)
• A calm and attentive atmosphere with moments of movement, sound, and stillness

• No entry after 7pm
• Designated part gate location: https://w3w.co/trunk.ruler.ample
• Warm clothing recommended for a night walk

Content note: This event explores themes of mourning and grief.

Tickets: General – £6 / Concession – £3

Concession tickets are offered for those who might experience barriers in attending. To make participation in the event as accessible as possible, you won’t be asked for any proof or ID – we just ask that you are honest.

Here are the questions to think about when planning to purchase a concession ticket:

• I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them.
• I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs.
• I am able to afford non-essential expenses, such as dining out or entertainment activities.
• I have very limited expendable income.
• I rarely buy new items.

Address: LUX, Waterlow Park Centre, Dartmouth Park Hill, London, N19 5JF

Designated meeting point: https://w3w.co/trunk.ruler.ample

This event explores themes of mourning and grief.Sound/noise volume is adjusted to a higher level.

You can find general access information here

If you have any access needs to attend our events please contact us at +44(0)20 3141 2960 or [email protected]

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher LUX