to disappoint a god.


Initial development at Dancehouse Independent Choreographers Program 2024, presentation in 2025 Dancehouse x Melbourne Fringe Season

A lone figure sits at the plinth, hands busily moulding and carving each curve, angle, limb of the human figure - their creation. Their hands soiled with layers of yellow clay, toiling above the pristine folds of their silk qīng Ruqun.


qīng - the blue-green of the mended heavens, celadon, deep as wet soil, blue as a clear sky, green as fresh bok choy.


In the dim blue light, their arms blur into tendrils, Mamianqun into layers of molting skin - for a brief moment they find your eyes. Enigmatic, poised, questioning. You wonder if they are proud of you.

Footage: Cobie Orger

'to disappoint a god.' is a WIP, a rough question and an even rougher proposition. If there was someone or something in the skies, watching us - would they be proud of us? Recently, I think that they would be profoundly disappointed.

Images: Gregory Lorenzutti, Lighting: Giovanna Yates Gonzalez

Full Credits:
Created and Performed by Carmen Yih
LX Design - Giovanna Yate Gonzalez
Sound Design - Amelia Jean O’Leary, Damon Shearer
Producer - Insite Arts
Special thanks to Jiawen (Wendy) Feng for costuming assistance, Jahra Wasasala for initial development mentorship.

to disappoint a god. is supported by Dancehouse, The Patagorang Foundation, founded by Roger Allen AM and Maggie Gray, and Abbotsford Convent. This project has been Fringe Funded.


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I work on the unceded sacred lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. This land is and always will be Aboriginal land - sovereignty was never ceded. Pay the rent.