works
TRANSFIGURED NIGHT
Choreography: Davidson Farias, inspired by the poem by Richard Dehmel
Music: Dirk Haubrich
Costumes: Louise Flanagan
Performed by: Mami Fujii, Niccolò Masi, and Louis Stiens
"Verklärte Nacht" (Transfigured Night) is a poem by Richard Dehmel, written in 1896, that delves into themes of love, sin, redemption, and the transformative power of acceptance. The poem challenges societal norms and religious expectations by presenting a compassionate response to a woman's confession of infidelity, a provocative subject at the time. Its impressionistic style effectively conveys the complex emotions experienced by the couple during their intimate conversation.
Dehmel's work paints vivid imagery and explores the moral dilemmas faced by individuals within relationships and society. It subverts conventional notions of sin and redemption, offering a nuanced perspective on love that emphasizes empathy, forgiveness, and acceptance. Furthermore, the poem reflects on the enduring nature of memories and their influence on both present experiences and future uncertainties. This synthesis of themes creates a rich tapestry of human emotion and relational dynamics, which Farias´s interprets through movement in his choreography.
DUALITY
Choreography: Davidson Farias
Music: Rio Wolta
Dancers: Amélie Demont and Clara Demont
"Duality" is a choreographic work inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise, "The Birth of Tragedy," which examines the origins of Greek tragedy through the lens of the Apollonian and Dionysian forces inherent in human nature. The Apollonian aspect embodies rationality, order, and logic, while the Dionysian aspect reflects the irrational, emotional, and chaotic dimensions of our existence.
MATTER OF CHANGE
Choreography: Davidson Farias
Music: Roger Goula
Dancers: Students of the Boris Eifman Dance Academy
Friedrich Nietzsche posited that individuals must forge their own identities through self-realization, without relying on transcendental entities outside of life itself. In grappling with my own personal and often painful transformations, I encountered a poignant poem by a friend that exemplified the theme of transformation in a simple yet profoundly meaningful way.
The poem begins: "The caterpillar may not 'want' to wrap itself in a silk cocoon, but every cell in its being yearns to fly... even if you don't quite know it yet, you, too, have wings: Let go, they will carry you..."
VOICES
Choreography: Davidson Farias
Music: Ben Frost
Dancers: Nina Ritter, Egon Gerber, Maximo Guenin, Jana Dunner, Charly Kofi Boanyah
"Voices" explores the internal demons that inhabit our minds, creating an abstract narrative that bridges the past and present. These real and imagined voices significantly influence our perceptions and actions. They can serve as a source of positivity, offering encouragement and support, or as a source of negativity, sowing seeds of self-doubt and criticism. The voices we experience often reflect our internal thoughts, while at other times, they stem from external influences.
Regardless of their origin, these voices wield a profound influence over our lives, shaping our identities both as individuals and as a collective society. The central imagery of the piece poses a thought-provoking question: "Who was killed by the bear? Who kills the bear?" This analogy serves to illustrate the complex struggle inherent in discerning what constitutes actual reality.
OUR VALLEYS ARE ALWAYS UNCANNY
Choreography: Davidson Farias
Assistant Choreographer: Evelin Skarlatos
Music: Raime - "Uncanny Valley"
Costumes: Berend Voorhaar and Sabrina Zyla, Karisma-Costumes
Dancers: Gianna Bassan, Luca Di Giorgio, Francine Hoenner, Dave Lankhorst, Koko Nishikawa, Viviane Von Gunten, Camille Zany
The piece is inspired by the concept of the "Uncanny Valley," a hypothesis that examines emotional responses to movements within the realms of classical and contemporary dance. The "Uncanny Valley" effect describes the discomfort we experience when encountering entities that are almost human but not quite. Whether humanity strives to become more like robots, while robots increasingly emulate human characteristics.