Komm und birg dein Antliz
BY MANDAFOUNIS
Commissioned by the OPéra de lyon
The piece was performed as part of a very special evening called « Danser Encore ».
Julie Guibert, director of the Opera de Lyon wanted to offer a way to exorcise all the world’s stagnation and fear from the last few month, by reuniting 30 choreographers and 30 dancers in an exceptional program made in several parts.
- Verticality, like a sewing thread hanging into space ready to fall into emptiness. -
As I was describing to my Martial Art master Akira Hino a deeply moving experience in Budo that had changed my life, he replied to me in his sharp Japanese accent: « At beginning, everything same », and he smiled. A very clear and simple answer…
When I started imagining a solo for Yan Leiva, these few words resonated very profoundly within me.
What would be the most important thing that I could share with Yan, making this experience a real collaboration rather than a simple one-way choreographic creation? What could bring about in him a deep transformation like the one I undertook a long time ago in Japan? Could it be the sharing of my methodology? Yes, maybe, and why?
After some exchanges with Yan, I chose to share with him my knowledge and most precious tools because of our common interest in improvisation and instant choreography. To give space and time to the intelligence of the dancer's body during the research period is as important as the piece itself.
« Komm und Birg dein Antliz » is about transgressing the projection mechanism of usual stage set ups by offering to the performer and the audience alike an experience of pure transparency.
The accuracy of the gesture, the gaze, and the presence in space are some of the essentials of the methodology. To share them with Yan gave me a great deal of joy. And in the end, joy itself became the basis of this solo...
CREDITS
Creation 2020
Concept and choreography Ioannis Mandafounis
Collaboration, interpretation and costume Yan Leiva
Music Robert Schumann, Frauenliebe und -leben Op.42; 6. Süsser Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an. Interprété par Jessye Norman et Irwin Gage ℗ 1976 Universal International Music B.V.
Lights Yohann Ambert-Fourcade - Opéra de Lyon
Production Opéra de Lyon
Komm und birg dein Antliz ON TOUR
12 shows, 4 theater, 2 city, 1 country