En–Knap & Adrienn Hód

Pearl

35 min

#en–knap group's repertoire

2016

Double Bill: On the Edge

In Pearl, Adrienn Hód continues her exploration of an uncompromising physical and psychological landscape, working with five dancers of En–Knap Group. The piece emerged through a process of improvisation in which choreographer and performers explored crossing and drawing lines, attraction and imitation, the desire for acceptance, the pursuit of joy, and the tension between desire and fulfilment. Personal crises and “forbidden” feelings become material for movement, pushing the dancers to confront their own boundaries and question the prejudices that shape them. Pearl evolved from the persistent physical, verbal and emotional research, involving continously of the reactions, impulses, inputs and experiences of the performers. A hedonistic roller coaster, a production of happiness, a glimpse of moments without shame, foreign bodies in mother-of-pearl, a celebration of its completeness. Pearls and swine.

ON THE EDGE

PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 7
PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 11
PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 22
PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 25
PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 32
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PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 47
PEARL Double Bill 2016 foto Andrej lamut 68

Pearl was presented alongside LOOP DE LOOP by Guy Nader and Maria Campos in the double bill titled En–Knap Group On the Edge, marking nine years of the ensemble’s artistic development and maturity. The two works approach the idea of limits from different directions: Pearl tests the dancers’ psychological boundaries through confrontation with taboo, desire and prejudice, while LOOP DE LOOP subjects the body to an equally demanding physical exploration of focus, endurance and stamina.

When are our experiences and sensations legitimate? Many human feelings or states are “forbidden”, not allowed to be shown. Art can be an alibi for all this. On the altar of art you can do things that are forbidden in real life. Thus, art is a game, an alibi that sets us free.

Adrienn Hód

context

Terms that are often related to her include: associative, unconventional, and humorous. But this is far from complete when describing the quality that sticks her works together and makes them revelations, makes them so strong and authentic, of which the international dance world has taken notice. (…) This is noble art; it puts a spotlight on what is secretive in its very nature.

András Rényi

bio

Adrienn Hód is a unique and innovative creator of the Hungarian contemporary dance scene, well-known internationally. Her pieces, Basse Danse in 2012, Dawn in 2014, and Conditions of Being a Mortal in 2015, have been selected into the 20 most outstanding contemporary dance pieces by the European dance network Aerowaves. Her company Hodworks regularly appears at international festivals and theatres.

Her choreographies tend to deconstruct, destabilise, and re-build already existing dance structures. The focus of her work is the performer’s status, as related to extreme human states and verbal and physical expression. Hód’s performances challenge taboos, enriched with a robust but delicate humour: a radical study of the body, free of prejudice. She opens up a parallel reality, which is built up from the unconscious and the ecstatic. Her audience is attracted to a "grey zone" where "presence" dominates "meaning".

credits

Concept, choreography Adrienn Hód

Dancers Luke Thomas Dunne, Ana Štefanec, Jeffrey Schoenaers, Lada Petrovski Ternovšek, Bence Mezei)

Dramaturgy Ármin Szabó-Székely 

Music and sound Zoltán Mizsei 

Light design Luka Curk 

Costume design Katarina Škaper

Photography Andrej Lamut

 

Production En–Knap Productions

In collaboration with Balassi Institute - Cultural Center of the Embassy of Hungary in Ljubljana

 

En–Knap Productions

Founder and artistic director Iztok Kovač

Production manager Marjeta Lavrič

Executive producer Karmen Keržar 

Financial Manager Julija Travančić 

Rehearsal Director (until September 2017) Tanja Skok 

Rehearsal Director (after September 2017) Nohemi Barriuso

Head of public relations and editor Nina Smerkol 

Project and marketing coordinator Goran Pakozdi  

Programme coordinator and organiser Katja Gabrijelčič

Designers nejaaka

Technical coordinator Jaka Šimenc 

Technicians Leon Curk, Gal Škrjanec Skaberne, Omar Ismail, Hotimir Knific, Aleksander Plut, Špela Škulj

The programme of En–Knap Productions, administrator of Španski Borci, is financially supported by: City of Ljubljana – Department of Culture, which also supports Španski Borci activities, and Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia

Balassi Institute