SIRENS
“Siren” costumes for Harana for the Aswang: Siren Archetype Film, June 2023
Photos by V. Babida
Harana is an expanding project directed by interdisciplinary movement-based artist, Moonyeka. Harana is based on the Filipinx serenade song form that centers courtship rituals, and more unpopularly, grief rituals. There is a total of seven archetypes to be explored in Harana for the Aswang. In this first expansion, Moonyeka and House of Kilig take inspiration from the siren archetype.
Costumes were made by Heidi Grace Acuña primarily using secondhand clothing, second fabrics and beads, and a netted bag. The colors of sea-foam green, lavender, and coral were selected by each wearer and inspired by the diverse colors found in the ocean. Heidi’s number one priority was the costumes wearability and movability for the artists to dance in. Because Harana speaks to multiple QT experiences, Heidi made some references to chest binding in the costumes as well.