On Sunday, July 13th, artist and plant medicine advocate Olive Hui, known as @pineappleo, presented a live performance of Bedtime Ritual at HOWL! Arts in New York City’s Lower East Side. The piece was part of The Importance of Being Engaged, a performance showcase curated by Heidi Russell and Eva Mueller for the Fresh Fruit Festival, which highlights work by LGBTQ artists.
Bedtime Ritual is an ongoing performance project inspired by Hui’s childhood routines before sleep. It explores themes of stillness, comfort, and self-care through slow, improvisational movement and physical connection. Hui was joined by performers @fencingharpist, @elianeyeung, @delfin.cano, @honey_ronit, and others in creating sculptural group poses referred to as “little stacks,” a term coined by artist @kingmallard. These human formations invited the audience to reflect on trust, presence, and the strength found in stillness.
Rather than using a traditional stage, the performers occupied the open space of the gallery, inviting viewers into a calm, meditative environment. They moved slowly, made eye contact with attendees, and remained physically connected in various poses—turning everyday gestures into intentional expressions of care.
“This piece is about making space to be soft and present,” Hui explained. “It’s not about performance in the traditional sense. It’s about slowing down and being with one another.”
Hui is known not only for her performance and visual art but also for her work in the plant medicine space, where she supports healing and wellness practices through art and education. Bedtime Ritual reflects that intersection, drawing from somatic awareness and holistic care.
The Fresh Fruit Festival, now in its 22nd year, is one of New York’s longest-running LGBTQ arts programs. Featuring performances, films, and exhibitions, the festival celebrates artists who use their work to foster engagement and change. Hui’s contribution stood out for its quiet intensity and emotional openness.
Watercolor prints of previous Bedtime Ritual performances were available at the event, offering another dimension to Hui’s work and inviting audiences to take a piece of the experience home.
For those who missed the event, Hui plans to continue the Bedtime Ritual series in future performances across New York and beyond. The work continues to evolve with each presentation, shaped by its participants and the environment in which it’s performed.
Follow @pineappleo for updates on future performances, visual art releases, and more.
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