Pushing the physical limitations of the human form, the chrysalides project invites us to view the body as raw material capable of breath taking transformations.Moving away from “traditional” choreographic steps.
"the Chrysalides Project"
The Chrysalides project started in 2002 after creating a solo for choreographer Camilla Stage called “While you were sleeping” which was performed during “Dansolution 1” at Dansenscenen in Copenhagen, Denmark. This solo was the trigger of a new exploration of the body and its responses to physical and psychological pressure.
I created a second solo "Chrysalides" performed by dancer Gregory Bruhn, and in 2003 I choreographed "Broken" for Danish dancer Berit Grube, original score, Giuseppe De Bellis. "Broken" was presented at “Dansolution 2” at Dansenscenen in Copenhagen, at “Junge Hunde 2004” at Kanonhallen in Copenhagen, Denmark and later invited to be performed in Leeds, England, still as part of the Junge Hunde Festival.
As an on going work process and work in progress "the Chrysalides Project" went into rest until 2009 where "Still Point" was created for and performed by dancer Sita Mani in NYC.
The need behind "the Chrysalides Project" was foremost for me a way to define my views as a choreographer and to find a playground for my interest in the body as a moving, breathing life form. i needed the find a way to show it in its complexity and beauty without the use of too much artifacts but only light and music.
I was inspired in my research by different artists and among them, Francis Bacon, English painter (Born in Ireland from English parents) quite famous for the rawness and violence in his paintings and subsequently the desperate vulnerability and aloneness depicted within the characters that he had chosen.
Odd Nerdrum, Norwegian painter, was as well a great source of inspiration. Though using a more classical technique nevertheless he conveys within his work an almost metaphysical mystery which can be very enticing and inspiring.
the common ground between each solo is the journey that one has to begin to under go transformation. The obstacles might be unknown from us or we might create some in order to achieve our goal. The end result is not important what matters is the journey. We will be asked to shade our old skin and habits and stand as naked and vulnerable as we can.
Press:
Politiken May 22 2004, “Junge Hunde”
Dance review by Janus Kodal:
“The truly beautiful abstract solo “broken” performed by Berit Grube, choreographed and light designed by Jean-Hugues Miredin goes right under your skin. With inspiration from Butoh Berit and Jean-hugues take us to a painful motion journey where dead flesh crawls on the floor and the back contorts itself in sharp precise movements. The constant tension and sustain concentration in “Broken” give us something to think about even after we have left the theater. “ A little masterpiece it is.”
Vibeke Wern:
“Broken” a true little pearl.
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