Movement and Storytelling “Fragments” at DACC 2026

Fragments, a transmedia performance by Kiều Maily, opens a journey through the ruptures of memory, where Cham ritual artifacts and broken ceramic shards become micro-narratives of life, lineage, and cultural identity.

hrough monologue, movement, and improvisation, the artist gathers remaining traces, engaging in dialogue with ancestral shadows and the fragile connections between past and present, tradition and continuously evolving cultural forms.

From ritual objects such as Don Hala, Thong Hala, Ciet, Salao Takai trays, and ceramic jars, the performance evokes images of bodies bearing memories across time. Ceramic shards guide the way to The Breath of Silk Amaravati – a contemplation through movement set against sea, sand, boat fragments, and sites like My Son, Nui Chua, and Cu Lao Cham, co-existing within the flow of memory and cultural intersection.

The performance concludes with an interactive session and artist talk. The audience is invited to select a ceramic shard to impart a wish, reflection, or memory, then return it to the artwork or carry it away as a keepsake. The erosion and transformation of the work become a natural part of a cycle of destruction and regeneration, where fragments continue to find one another, and heritage never ceases to speak in the present.

Artist Introduction

Kiều Maily

Kiều Maily is a Cham poet, writer, culinary cultural practitioner, researcher, and cultural activist. Born in Ninh Thuận (now part of Khánh Hòa Province), she currently lives and works in Hội An.

She has initiated various projects to preserve and share Cham heritage, from researching traditional clothing and conserving medicinal plants to advocating for the protection of ancient Cham heritage sites. The author of The Uniqueness of Cham Cuisine, she founded Champa Amaravati House Hội An, a space for cultural exchange through talks, performances, and culinary experiences.

For Kiều Maily, artistic practice is a form of creative expression that sparks social dialogue and inspires community action.