STATE is part dance performance and part live concert, and things out of a lengthy research into ritual dances from a range of places and times. The interest lies in what mental and bodily states these dances can produce amongst performers and spectators. Together with renown costume designer Henrik Vibskov and the world-touring noise musician Lasse Marhaug, Fiksdal and Petersen have created an immersive performance, where choreography, costume, sound, light and Norwegian spirits take the audience on a suggestive trip. STATE is performed by five dancers and two musicians.
link: http://ingrifiksdal.com/work/state-2016/The day has come!
As living in Bergen inherently means that I am a bit further away from other cities and thus; lowering the potential available performances for me to see; this piece caught me by surprise; Bigtime!
Here is my recollection of the performance itself.
This piece was performed in a small venue at USF. There was no stage; only a square like room; chairs around and a DJ table in the corner/front.
While seating we where all offered an Aquavit. Perhaps they have spiced up the aquavit in an attempt to influence my opinion; this I do not know. Nonetheless; it was a long time since I had to keep my focus for such a long time; while feeling totally drained and nurished at the same time! This is what I want more!
The performence is brought by 5 dancers and 2 musicians. the custome design plays an important part throughout the performance. The music; dance and customes strengthens and gives meaning to each other. And the fact that the audiance was so close to the piece was great for me. this enabled me to; at parts focus on the piece as a whole; on the interaction between 2 dancers; or on a dancer itself.
Where some choreographies suffer from the fact that no matter how good the idea is; the people you rely on are not really able to carry the message. This piece had no shortage of this. The selection of the dancers was very good. I noticed the focus and commitment of the dancers; and I enjoyed the attention to detail they where able to bring into the performance. (Thanks Nuria! Great Performance!)
The sources of inspiration is not necessarily "unique" but the method that everything came together into a coherent play is. For this Kudos! There where very clear references to different cultural performances throughout the ages. medieval flag dancing (withouth the flags then); thibetan and japanese traditions; Middle eastern touches from Morocco and South american influences where all present at certain times.