Sarah Sayeed was reading The Machine Stops one day in 2009, the dystopian short novel by E.M Forster. A burning desire to explore technology, it's relationship to modern living and the modes of artistic expression which could be borne from that exploration became ignited. Following three years of development work and research, directing young people and conversations with artists, academics and designers, The Machine Speaks was created. As The Machine Speaks gave voice to young people to explore their own role and space within technology, the artist began her own very personal journey with Sufi In The City. How could the artist as a young  working career woman find a sense of peace and connection to the divine?

Sarah and Bridget Fiske had met through mutual friends in 2011 and instantly made a connection. The connection was not only with their combined interest in feminism, technology, wearable devices, but in the power of transformation through art and ritual. Following Bridget’s involvement in The Machine Speaks as choreographic workshop facilitator, Sarah was very keen to work even more closely with Bridget's breadth of knowledge, artistic sensibilities and constant curiosity. Sufi In The City was in it's early stages of creation and the idea that Bridget could bring a strong contemporary dance sensibility to the musical strengths of Sarah's work were a potent combination.

Sarah and Bridget have worked endlessly on the research, creation, design and development of the existing research areas. Joint curators of this work, the various elements of creation and presentation come from studying Sufi literature and music, contemporary movement exploration in the studio, researching the stories of women involved in peace and social change movements, walking the streets of Manchester understanding the story of a city, sharings at New Art Exchange and Contact Theatre and numerous conversations. And yet the work remains in its infancy stage. Current research and development now taking the artists into new terrain and future enquiry through visual art film, publication, exhibition and of course, performance.

Whilst the work remains firmly rooted in the sense of the traditional and classical forms which have inspired Sufi thought, philosophy and literature, contemporary modes of expression are clearly at the forefront. Whilst Sarah ensures the project continues to contain the essence of Sufi forms and structures, Bridget probes existing thought interpreting them and taking them to new contemporary heights.

In the phase following this current research period, Sarah Sayeed invites a number of key artists to join in the creation of new collaborative work. Sarah and Bridget work jointly between 2018-2020 with the current research areas, in addition to pursuing their own personal and family heritage.