(photos_©Elisabeth Vieira Alvarez)

 

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A WAVE FROM A DISTANCE

 

 

On one side and the other, two bodies sail in silence for a fragile dance that is wave and tide of encounters and disagreements. Near and far, the two divers discover themselves in an invisible dialogue of memories and stories that invade our imaginary. A paper choreography drawn from an open dance of senses and dives in other readings - far and near, closer than far, east and west, on either side of the ocean, they bring to the surface a sea of illusions. And in the range of a wave they give place to the encounter (of another wave). An initial image motivates the creation of this contemporary dance piece, remaining invisible but present - "The Great Wave of Kanawaga", iconic work of the Japanese painter Hokusai, created in 1830 and reproduced from the mid-1870s through a series of lithographs using the traditional Japanese print technique known as ukiyo (literally, "floating world”).

In this floating world nothing is too small or insignificant to hold our attention. This monochromatic performance of shadows, evocations and masks whose Hokusai wave allows to embody is a double invitation to travel and stillness. In the dark and in the light, only two elements - body and paper reveal in their plasticity and in their fragility and impermanence, a symbolic, abstract and imagery ritual immersed to East and West in a coexistence of readings and meanings, where less is more .

 

On stage, an origami wave - a scenographic installation made of paper, Rafael Alvarez (Portuguese choreographer and dancer) is accompanied by Noeli Kikuchi (Japanese-Portuguese dancer) presenting for the first time in Thailand this show premiered in 2017 in Tokyo, Yokohama and Lisbon and which has since been presented in Portugal, Japan, Egypt and Cape Verde.

Over the last 23 years Rafael Alvarez’s choreographic work reveals a strong visual dimension, standing out for the enigmatic, symbolic, poetic and minimalist use of the body, dance and space. His dance pieces has been presented since 1997 in Europe, South America and North America, Middle East, Asia and Africa produced by his dance production company - BODYBUILDERS, based in Lisbon - Portugal.

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Artistic Direction and Choreography: Rafael Alvarez 

Performed by: Rafael Alvarez and Noeli Kikuchi (originally performed by Yuta Ishikawa)

Light Design: Nuno Patinho / Technical Direction and light operation: Guilherme Pompeu

Set and Costume design: Rafael Alvarez

Production and Admnistration: BODYBUILDERS | Rafael Alvarez

Scene Assistance: Carlos Marques

Local Assistance and PR in Bangkok: Kritanu Manokam

 

Coproduction: 23 Milhas – Ílhavo & BODYBUILDERS | Rafael Alvarez

Residency Support: Le Carreau du Temple (Paris), Ryogoku Bear (Tokyo), Rimbun Dahan (Malaysia), Estúdios Vitor Córdon/CNB (Lisbon), O Espaço do Tempo (Montemor-o-Novo) 

Presentation Support: BACC (Bangkok) Carpintarias de São Lázaro (Lisboa), Citemor Festival (Coimbra), Armazém 22/Kale (Vila Nova de Gaia Porto), Auditório Municipal Augusto Cabrita (Barreiro), 23 Milhas / Teatro Vista Alegre (Ílhavo), Ryogoku Bear (Tokyo), TPAM Peforming Arts Meeting 2019 (Yokohama), Wakabacho Wharf (Yokohama)

 

Support in Japan (2017-18): Camões – Portuguese Cultural Center in Tokyo / Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo

Support for Internationalization (2017-18): Gulbenkian Foundation

Creation project cofinanced by (2018) Portuguese Republic - Culture / Directorate-General for the Arts (Portugal)

 

The presentation in Bangkok is supported by the Camões - Institute for Cooperation and Language/Embassy of Portugal in Bangkok and by the General Directorate of the Arts/Ministry of Culture (Portugal)

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Special thanks to: Vasita Jirathiyut, Kanharat Leamthong, Maria Madureira

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(photos_left ©Susana Paiva /center and right ©Rui Morais e Castro)

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WAVE DANCE LAB - Contemporary Dance Worskshop

with Rafael Alvarez BODYBUILDERS

open for all levels, all ages, all abilities

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Saturday, 5 March at 14:00-16:00 hrs.

Infos and Reservation:

Email: wavebangkok.tickets@gmail.com

Phone: 0612688211

Reservation Form: 

https://forms.gle/k7N43s7yomyTrtWTA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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