Synopsis
Exploring the relationship between dance and sculpture,
Nerves Like Nylon (NLN)
is based on the principle that
a choreographic construction can trigger movement
when
it contains a certain degree of stillness.
Based on two sculptural paradoxes mentioned by Antony Gormley
‘stillness can express its opposite’
‘movement is best encouraged by a static object’,
my intention is to establish a choreographic paradox:
NLN's stage scenery and
choreographic construction, rather
then evoking movement suggest, instead, its
impossibility.
Emphasized by the light design, NLN sets off from a formal
construction:
choreographic motion is centred on the thorax
and abdomen of three female
dancers; the choreographic space
is limited to a restricted area of action.
Anchored in a methodical, almost threatening choreographic
structure, inspired
by Samuel Beckett’s text ‘Not I’, NLN
plays with the fictional imaginary that is
created by the
gestures, and the factual reality of the text that intercepts it ...she did not know...what position she was in...imagine!
Credits
Concept / Choreography Maria Ramos
Performers Sofia Dias, Benedetta Maxia, Teresa Silva (replacement Lígia Teixeira)
Original music in collaboration with Hugo Verweij (refrain excerpt ‘Nerves’ by Bauhaus)
Text excerpts from text ‘Not I’ by Samuel Beckett
Light design in collaboration with Vinny Jones
Costumes Maria Ramos
Technical support Rui Cabrita, Martinho R. Fernandes
Co-production ArtEZ , DeVIR/CAPa
Artistic Residencies ArtEZ - Dance Unlimited (NL), EIRA33, CAPa/DeVIR
Supports ArtEZ-DU, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Instituto Camões, Construção Integrada lda., Estúdio ACCCA, Atelier RE.AL, Sala de ensaio CCB
Artistic Advice Angus Balbernie, Francisco Camacho, Vitor Roriz
NLN was originally created with and performed by: Sofia Dias, Benedetta Maxia and Lígia Teixeira
Previous presentations
Avant-première: CAPa, Faro (PT), 5 November 2009
Artist in residence presentation: EIRA33, Lisboa (PT), 12 September 2009
Work in progress: ArtEZ Institute of the Arts (NL) 10-11 April 2008
Artistic residencies
EIRA33, Lisboa: 3-15 August & 1-12 September 2009
DeVIR/CAPa, Faro: 19 October - 5 November 2009
ArtEZ Institute of the Arts, Dance Unlimited: 24 March - 9 April 2008