Dance, research object

THE RECENT premiere of the dance performance titled Objekty Výskumu / Objects of Research brought elements of innovation to Slovak contemporary dance/physical theatre. The performance, choreographed and directed by Petra Fornayová and dan-ced by Soňa Ferienčíková and Jana Tereková, is based on contrasts: the inner versus the outer world, outside impacts versus inner feelings.

Objects of Research.Objects of Research. (Source: Lea Lovišková)

THE RECENT premiere of the dance performance titled Objekty Výskumu / Objects of Research brought elements of innovation to Slovak contemporary dance/physical theatre. The performance, choreographed and directed by Petra Fornayová and dan-ced by Soňa Ferienčíková and Jana Tereková, is based on contrasts: the inner versus the outer world, outside impacts versus inner feelings.

The theme of contrasts was further explored through a simple and modest stage set, costumes, the use of videos and recited comme-ntaries and in the two main performers’ perception of the world and the way they express it. Objects of Research examines the connection be-tween the message and the medium. The pure dancing to slightly hypnotic, psychedelic music is juxtaposed with “rational information” delivered in the middle of the piece about the performers, including medical examination results, physical tests and personal preferences. Af-ter the audience members come to assume they “know” something about the dancers, they return to their “dance battle” and again show their understanding and perception of the music.

The piece, co-authored by Fornayová and Peter Šulej, with music by Lucia Chuťko-vá, video by Adam Hanuljak and visual design by Jakub Ptačin, premiered on February 8, 2014, and was re-run on April 1 in the A4 Priestor Súčasnej Kultúry / Space of Contemporary Culture in Bratislava. The innovative, interesting approach was slightly marred by the excessive length of the music/ dance section. For audiences unaccustomed to “pure dan-ce” without any plot, such performances can be deman-ding. By Zuzana Vilikovská

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