Butoh Dance
Butoh has come to break with taboos and put on stage what was not meant to be seen, which was destruction (...) dancing is a sort of catharsis, the process of how one gets to the movements is when one feels that the maximum was reached, I unfold myself, I expose myself, I place my soul out there... the interesting thing is the process of construction and the final turn when exposing oneself."
Luciana Sayanes, from an interview with Norman Flores.
Reactor.city
NRW Forum, Düsseldorf, Germany (August 2016)
Utopia:
REACTOR.city is art in public space – an intervention against established relationships without any mandate and authorisation in the quest for utopia. A game without an intention, a tribute to uselessness, a dream of innocence, a non-acceptance of limits, an continuous extension, a delusion of grandeur, and beautiful resistance.
In order to generate utopia we use interventions as a REACTOR = REACTOR is a controlled space which has been specially designed to generate certain reactions under certain conditions.
REACTOR.city is a collective project of the REACTEURS – David Komander and Monika Marla. As further accomplices you´ll find an over-sized oil-painting with the title UTOPIA! and a poem by Wisława Szymborska* which bears the same name, as well as a construction, random artistic acquaintances, and all those people unexpectedly confronted with our actions.
The REACTEURS appreciate any comments, questions, tips and impulses for discussion, as well as more utopian actions and art interventions in public spaces.
This summer some alternative visions of future are also a topic for the NRW Forum in Düsseldorf. Planet B host an international cross-disciplinary exhibition about Utopia and present their 100 ideas for a new world. A very exciting area for the REACTOR and a perfect mindset in order to meet UTOPIA!
REACTOR.city is art in public space – an intervention against established relationships without any mandate and authorisation in the quest for utopia. A game without an intention, a tribute to uselessness, a dream of innocence, a non-acceptance of limits, an continuous extension, a delusion of grandeur, and beautiful resistance.
In order to generate utopia we use interventions as a REACTOR = REACTOR is a controlled space which has been specially designed to generate certain reactions under certain conditions.
REACTOR.city is a collective project of the REACTEURS – David Komander and Monika Marla. As further accomplices you´ll find an over-sized oil-painting with the title UTOPIA! and a poem by Wisława Szymborska* which bears the same name, as well as a construction, random artistic acquaintances, and all those people unexpectedly confronted with our actions.
The REACTEURS appreciate any comments, questions, tips and impulses for discussion, as well as more utopian actions and art interventions in public spaces.
This summer some alternative visions of future are also a topic for the NRW Forum in Düsseldorf. Planet B host an international cross-disciplinary exhibition about Utopia and present their 100 ideas for a new world. A very exciting area for the REACTOR and a perfect mindset in order to meet UTOPIA!
Butoh Film: Our Heart in Our Mind, by Angelina Volskopolou
Athens, Greece (May 2016)
Butoh dance - The Red String of Fate
Also referred to as the ”Red String of Marriage”, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from a Chinese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red cord around the ankles of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger. According to Chinese legend, the deity in charge of “the red thread” is believed to be the old lunar matchmaker god, who is in charge of marriages.
The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of a destined flame.
Text & camera: Angelina Volskopolou
Idea: Angelina Volskopolou and Luciana Sayanes
Also referred to as the ”Red String of Marriage”, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from a Chinese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red cord around the ankles of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger. According to Chinese legend, the deity in charge of “the red thread” is believed to be the old lunar matchmaker god, who is in charge of marriages.
The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of a destined flame.
Text & camera: Angelina Volskopolou
Idea: Angelina Volskopolou and Luciana Sayanes
The Villi's Dance, from Le Villi Opera, by Giacomo Puccini
Empire Theatre, Buenos Aires, Argentina (October 2014)
About Le Villi:
It is the first work composed by Puccini, which seeks to incorporate other elements of the performing arts, such as dance. Based on legends of Central Europe, the composer develops his story around the Villis: souls of women betrayed by their lovers, who roam the Black Forest seeking revenge on men who have cheated on their wives. Avant-garde for its time, Puccini decided to incorporate dancers on stage, breaking with classical operatic structure. It also incorporates the figure of the author of the play, narrates the events of the story. In both cases, Puccini did not give specifications with regards to the type of start, allowing the regisseur incorporate various styles of dance, and add a voiceover or actor on stage to play the role of the author of the play.
This is the story of Anna and Roberto, a couple of newlyweds traversed by deception, and the consequent intervention of the Villis seeking revenge.
It is the first work composed by Puccini, which seeks to incorporate other elements of the performing arts, such as dance. Based on legends of Central Europe, the composer develops his story around the Villis: souls of women betrayed by their lovers, who roam the Black Forest seeking revenge on men who have cheated on their wives. Avant-garde for its time, Puccini decided to incorporate dancers on stage, breaking with classical operatic structure. It also incorporates the figure of the author of the play, narrates the events of the story. In both cases, Puccini did not give specifications with regards to the type of start, allowing the regisseur incorporate various styles of dance, and add a voiceover or actor on stage to play the role of the author of the play.
This is the story of Anna and Roberto, a couple of newlyweds traversed by deception, and the consequent intervention of the Villis seeking revenge.