tanzschreiber Review Day 4 by Veronica Posth

My day began with "Spiel im Spiel" by Ceren Oran and Moving Borders, a lively piece designed for children featuring three performers who create various humorous sketches. While I sensed a lack of moral messages and poetic imagery, the performers demonstrated great commitment, delivering their scenes with skilled execution. They donned different costumes, embodied various animals, and crafted imaginative scenarios using a variety of objects. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to speak with any of the children who attended, the laughter and reactions from the audience indicated that they thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Moving on to the next show, which I consider the highlight of the festival, is "Dive into You" by Kat Válastur, a Greek artist based in Berlin. Upon entering the auditorium, the audience was enveloped by an intense bass that filled the space, reminiscent of a lazy heart’s beat, amplified and stretched. In the dim light, Válastur was faintly visible on stage, perhaps centering herself before the performance. The bass resonated underfoot, suggesting that the piece would unfold into an intense experience, and my intuition proved correct.

"Dive into You" showcases Válastur on an irregular oval structure known as a semantron, where the floor itself acts as an instrument. Surrounded by three microphones entwined with cables resembling lianas around trees, she sat in typical contemporary dance attire: loose trousers, a comfy black t-shirt, and sneakers. The stage behind her was equally dark, adorned with long strips of plastic cascading from the ceiling to the floor. The aesthetic of the piece felt distinctly techno-underground, yet polished in its own unique way.

Válastur began to move her head, arms, and torso while seated, delivering a mix of impulsive and expressive movements synchronised with the booming sounds produced by French musician Aho Ssan. Sudden explosions of sound were beautifully embodied through her physical reactions, creating a stunning synthesis of audio and movement.

The cathartic trance of the performer appeared to convey atonement or perhaps a coping strategy to liberate herself from an overwhelming pain, palpable through her tortured movements and the discomfort she radiated. The rumbling bass was often broken by brief eruptions of indistinguishable thunderous noise. As she succumbed to the overpowering sound, her movements resembled those of an animal in captivity. Desperate to escape, she maneuvered with all her might yet remained anchored to the spot. Extended circular, wave-like movements of her arms contrasted sharply with rigid, tense positions where she would momentarily pause, only to be overtaken by another wave of turbulence.

The sounds frequently echoed the imagery of mine and bomb explosions, reinforcing the unsettling atmosphere of the performance. Given today’s global political climate, marked by ongoing genocide and renewed warfare, I couldn't help but see parallels between this piece and the alarming, distressing reality shaped by ruthless individuals orchestrating such chaos.

At the conclusion of the performance, the few words she whispered left a profound impression, hinting at the possibility of making amends for personal "wrongdoings" related to something she holds dear. The phrases “Forgive me — I love you — Sorry — Thank you” were sensually pronounced, leaving me touched and contemplative. As she exited the stage with slow, robotic strides, this fragile yet fierce and compelling figure disappeared, prompting me to ponder deeply about the themes she evoked.

Later in the evening, I attended "Tournament" by Adam Linder, Ethan Braun & Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop. Despite the dancers and musicians from the Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop executing their roles exceptionally well, I found the performance’s concept somewhat lacking. The competitive nature was evident in the dynamic interactions among the skilled dancers. Created on a commissioned score by Ethan Braun, the piece exhibited virtuosity in a wild and illogical manner, leading me to contemplate themes of denial and escapism from the weight of contemporary political and emotional realities.

The evening concluded at Hellerau with a delightful party filled with drinks, dance, and artistic discussions. The atmosphere provided a fitting end to a day rich in performance and creativity, leaving me inspired and eager for more.