Variations on Closer
Synopsis & credits
In Variations on Closer different variations of closeness between an individual and his observers is investigated. The audience are challenged by 3 female performers, whom extensively conceal and reveal them to the limited perception of themselves. Offering them their expertise in manipulation and representation of performative stunts. Confusing, un arming and seducing the audience into their own disorienting reality. The observers and performers alike are offered a chance to renegotiate their feelings associated with living outside one’s own body as well as living through the bodies of others and are confronted with the role of their own gaze and their ever shifting feelings of empathy, attraction, intimacy and alienation. The soundtrack was created by music maker Peter Rehberg (PITA).
Concept/direction/choreography: Margrét Sara Gudjónsdóttir/Performers/choreography: Laura Siegmund, Marie Ursin/Johanna Chemnitz, Angela Schubot/Sound: Peter Rehberg; original composed sound track by Peter Rehberg with an excerpt from an additional track titled Mannhattan/ Eagle Rock by Pocahaunted from the album Live From The New Age/Photo: Tom Akinleminu, painting by Marion Bataillard/Co-production: MDT Stockholm (SE), RAS kulturhus Sandnes(NO), Les Grandes Traversees festival Bordeaux (FR)/Residency support: WP Zimmer Antwerpen (BE), Sommer.bar –Tanz im august Berlin (GE), Barneys Crossing Cologne (GE)/Special thanks to: Sonia Franken, Eike Siegmund, Anja Röttgerkamp, Andrea Lutz/Ashtanga Studio Berlin, Jared and Angela productions, jill Emerson(SMC), Gotische saal Berlin, Benjamin Schalike, Thomas Schaupp.
Reviews
“Choreographers have tried in a variety of ways to challenge the traditional relationship between spectator and performer since the radical re-workings of dance in the sixties. Icelandic choreographer Margrét Sara Guðjónsdóttir continues in the spirit of these liberating experiments with her piece,Variations on Closer. Her work features three highly individualistic looking women, minimalistic dance and experimental, electronic music by Peter Rehberg which becomes another distinct presence on stage. The performers confront the gaze of the audience and manage to expose each one of us as much as they expose themselves. Their powerful command of the gaze deflects ours and becomes a shield to protect their vulnerability…Variations on Closer is hard work. You are implicated in the performance, you cant hide in your seat. You dont get any closer to the protagonists. However it is effective in that it presents women performers who take control and empower themselves not through theatrical devices but through the gaze…The performers confront the gaze of the audience and manage to expose each one of us as much as they expose themselves. Their powerful command of the gaze deflects ours and becomes a shield to protect their vulnerability.
Josephine Leask,The Dance Insider, London, 3rd of October 2014
Trailer
Full performance – photos
