From 2000 to 2007

In its second phase 2000-2007 the company’s work became more experimental, abandoning theatrical narrative in favour of architectural mis-en-scene inspired by Bernard Tschumi and the rise of Iranian visual arts. In opposition to representational and ethnic identity based work, 30 Bird created Majnoun (2003) inspired by the introduction of Western modernity into Iran in the 20th century.

Majnoun abandoned plot, character and focused on visual exploration of the incongruous marriage between East and West. The production was more like a construction with a programme of events around it.

The same approach led to the creation of The Persian Revolution (2006) to commemorate the centenary of the constitutional revolution in Iran in 1906. Both productions toured the UK at venues such as Birmingham Rep, The Traverse and Lyric Hammersmith amongst others.

In 2007 in collaboration with Film London and BBC Radio 4 Drama, Mehrdad Seyf’s film script Yalda, was produced and screened at the BFI and Curzon Mayfair. A surrealist reflection on Hymenoplasty, synchronised swimming and the crucifixion, the film was shot across London’s urban landscape and shown at international film festivals such as The Reykjavík International Film Festival, Cinema Jove, Valencia, Kassel film and documentary festival Germany amongst others.

From 2008 to 2015

In its third phase 2008 – 2015, 30 Bird expanded its ambitions by creating large scale and site responsive projects both indoors and outdoors. The architectural influences in 30 Bird’s work led to the beginning of a long term collaboration with the Hackney based art and architecture practice “public works”. Plastic (2008), Chodzenie-Siberia (2009 -11),Poland 3 Iran 2 (2010-2012) and MUD (2012 ongoing) were amongst the projects created during this phase.

Plastic was a turning point for the company enabling 30 Bird to work in a new collaborative way based on interdisciplinary dialogue between practitioners from inside and outside the arts. Inspired by sex change operations and the fluidity of gender identity in Iran, Plastic was nominated for a Total Theatre Award in innovation and Experimentation and was chosen amongst the top four shows by The Guardian in Edinburgh 2008. The show kept changing as it landed on new sites (Victoria Baths Manchester, Whitechapel Gift Shop London) engaging with communities associated with those areas.

During this phase, 30 Bird invited artists who would not necessarily work in a transcultural or diverse context to join this interdisciplinary process. 30 Bird worked with choreographers Tom Dale and Pepa Ubera, visual and live artists Chris Dobrowolski, (Poland 3 Iran 2 2010), Mamoru Iriguchi (14 Tables 2012) and Michael Pinchbeck (Domestic Labour 2014).

Poland 3 Iran 2 in collaboration with Chris Dobrowolski toured nationally and Internationally to Poland, Sweden and Amsterdam and was the winner of the Best of Fringe at Brighton Fringe Festival.

30 Bird also launched MUD (2012), in collaboration with St Matthews Primary School in Cambridge, working with teachers and pupils, architects, archeologists  and  performance artists to create an interdisciplinary zone for the school to explore new ways of learning and teaching. The Factory (2012), The Story of Things (2014) and The Place Where We Stand (2017) are three projects developed under the MUD umbrella. MUD is ongoing and plays an important role in introducing transcultural and interdisciplinary practice to young children.

Present day

30 Bird has carried on expanding its activities to develop a platform for interdisciplinary and transcultural practice.

Determined to bring together practitioners  and artists from various disciplines and cultural backgrounds inside and outside the arts, the company launched Junctures - a day of debate and provocations exploring innovation and collaboration across the arts and sciences, in partnership with Cambridge Junction,  the British Council and the Arts Council  (2015).

In 2016, 30 Bird and ‘public works’ jointly won the prestigious arts residency at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology where they created Home in the Service of Science with the participation of 20 scientists, which was attended by 1’500 people over the residency duration.

30 Bird also worked with the Institute of Public health on Dementia: Testing Knowledge, expanding its pool of science based collaborators.

In recognition of its work, the company is currently supported by the Arts Council Elevate fund to produce Junctures  again, as a three year (2016-2019) programme investing, supporting and developing transcultural and interdisciplinary practice across the UK.

The company also set up its think tank UN-FRAMED in 2017 to create a platform for interdisciplinary collaborations, commissions and advocacy.