More precisely approaching, touching and even over passing subtle and crossing borders of logic and madness, of individual and social conventions, of lightness and seriousness, of loneliness and social integration, of sacredness and of drops or even storms of profanation. 'The journey of fools' will give birth to hopes and eventually lead to impasses. It will take dimensions of escape as well as of punishment from the social rule which rejects with violence or in 'civilized way' humans who don’t obey in established 'lifestyles' and savoir vivre.
In Warsaw we are going to have a condensed and intense work orientated to 'The journey of fools' theme. During 6 days we are going to experiment on the idea according to and adapting to the particular individual and group needs as well as to the national back round or-and to the international composition of the group. The work will culminate to a public short presentation-performance accompanied at the end with an open discussion between participants and spectators, exchanging feedback, impressions and proposals for the future.
In terms of structure and orientation of work the focus is put among other to the process of the protagonist(s)-individual(s) to live and after a while come out of the group-chorus. In other words search for the internal life and the evolution of the group-chorus itself. On this purpose we are going basically explore physical impulses which connect energy-body-sound-text and song. Furthermore, we are going to apply and at the same time check the limits of Atropos method of work 'Theatre of connection'.
Stages of working:
- Individual and group warming up and research on energy and technique;
- Organic song and research of sound and body landscapes;
- Embodiment of text, of song and sound;
- Organic and guided improvisations;
- Experimentation on different stimuli and ideas concerning the 'Journey of fools';
- Work on individual and group partitions;
- Synthesis.
The work will be led by Stamatis Efstathiou and assisted by Anna Emanuela Rakoczy.
Briefly about Atropos' method of work 'Theatre of connection'
In our everyday life we react either automatically or mentally. Our body is rather a weight than a fertile territory where the world that surrounds us is reflected and transformed. This world often lacks vibrations either wild or tame that the nature and the contradictions of life offer. Nevertheless, since the body is exposed on stage in its totality, in a non-everyday life framework, it is guided to the activation and the transformation of its energy.
The Theatre of Connection researches forms of energy building bridges: from impulse to action, from our rejected or hidden nature to being more open and from the daily social codes to a non-everyday behavior. In a framework of research, experiment and individual work, the participant-performer, first of all energizes his will for discovery, development and change of level. In this Theatre of Connection the entire presence of the “doer-performer” reveals the inexhaustible energy and its transformations.
Founder and artistic director of Atropos, Stamatis Efstathiou, researches in his work the connection: energy-body-sound-speech-chant-song. In this particular workshop from the very beginning, the basis of the sacredness of the work’s environment and of the most “in disrepute” action, are put into question in a totally viable and practical framework. On parallel we research constantly the points of collapse of ostentation, the landscapes that flirt with the profane and guide to commentary and to poetry.
The primordial vision of Theatre of Connection is to trace the links of the person-performer with space, time and the universe that surrounds him.
The “Journey of fools” project aspires to culminate by August 2011 to a 3-4 weeks intensive work with a selected group in a place “far away from civilization”, in order to deepen and elaborate further more in the theme. The result of this work will be presented on place and possibly in other spaces.
Practicalities:
- The sessions will take place in Ośrodek Kultury ARSUS (Centre of Culture ARSUS, 14 Traktorzystów Street), in Ursus district\. You have to take a fast train SKM or other local Warsaw train KM from the station Warszawa Śródmieście to the station Warszawa Ursus (direction: Skierniewice, Żyrardów or Grodzisk Mazowiecki). The travel takes about 15 min. It is also possibile to travel by local Warsaw bus transport with buses: 517, 187, 191, 194, 394 (it takes about 25-30 minutes). Then you have to walk about 3 minutes to the Centre of Culture ARSUS from the railway station Warszawa-Ursus.
- Participants will share the daily cleaning of the working space.
- There will be daily time for rest and walking around
- Duration: 36 hours approximately (6 hours per day devided in two sessions per day).
- Dates: February 22-27, 2011 (arrival day: Monday 21st February, departure day: Monday 28th February 2011)
- Participation fee: for participants from Warsaw, from the rest of Poland as well as for non-Polish participants: 280 zlotys (70 euros). If the registration (application + payment) is made until the 6th of February the fee is 200 zlotys (50 euros).
- Travel expenses, accommodation and food are not included in the participation fee. However we can suggest you cheap solution concerning hostel and food.
- Working language: English.
- Application deadline: 3rd of February.
- Registration dealine: 14th of Febuary.
Brief history of Atropos
Atropos undertakes two basic activities: On one hand education and research and on the other hand creation. The educational and research part is realized through introductive and intensive workshops in Greece and abroad. The creative part is reflected at the 4 past projects: At “Aim” (2004) and “Apetites” (2005) the central subject was man-woman in its archetypical dimension, and in “Akosmos” (2006) and “come” -1st and 2nd version (2007) the human fights with society or with its disfiguration testing his limits and his existential agony. In 2008 two projects were presented: “Arcadia”- a wandering performance in nature in a mountain of south Greece -concerning the confrontation of the human being with nature space. and “Beside oneself”- a solo performance- presented in Greece, Armenia, South Korea and Iran. The latest project is “Karma” (2009) - a performance for two performers and one musician/performer- already presented in Athens, in India and at the island of Lesvos.
Philosophy of Atropos
Balancing between theatre and dance, mime and ritual Atropos constantly redefines its scenic experimental approach. This quest goes from the wildest to the tamest aspects of human existence, inspired by universal dynamics. Pro-glossic, meta-glossic and glossic landscapes are examined. The rhythm becomes the base for human action and vice versa. The emphasis is given to elevating common human landscapes to existential, metaphysical and surrealistic levels. In conclusion, the main theme of Atropos is the poetic of transformation to the other self.
Stamatis Efstathiou
Atropos artistic director. He has studied French literature and translation. He has followed theatre workshops in Greece (El. Skoti, G. Simeonidis, Ryszard Nieoczym, etc), in France (‘’Théâtre du Soleil’’> Ar. Mnouchkine, ‘’Las Téouleres’’> Katharina Seyferth), in Poland (Grotowski Institut, Song of the goat, Wegajty, Gardzienice, Gziegorz Ziolkovski), in Germany (Philip Brehse of The living theatre, Tomy de Mayer > Biomechanics) and in Serbia (Plavo pozoriste). He studied mime for two years with Antonis Koutroubis, Suzuki method with Marcos Martinez and Butoh dance with Atsushi Takenushi, Sumako Koseki and Grigory Glazunov.
He played in the bar-theatre performance A beer with Henry (‘’Plani’’ group), as well as in Becket Festival at Sfendoni theatre (What where, directed by Takis Tzamargias). He has led through CVG (Volunteers organization) theatrical happenings with young people from all over the world (Amfiaria festival, European young artists’ festival 2003, Siros 2005).
Founder of ‘’Atropos’’ (www.atropos-art.gr) in 2004, he has performed with the group in various festivals (Traces- Entropia theatre, Desires- Hororoes theatre/ ‘’Thira technis’’) and independent productions (Aim- Topos Allou theatre/ Akosmos- Argo studio theatre/ “come..”- Little space of art Ilissos, Island of Lesvos). In 2008 he worked on a solo performance («Beside oneself”) which he presented in Greece, Armenia, South Korea, Iran and a group nature side project-“Arcadia” (work in progress). His last project “Karma” (2009) has already been presented in Greece, in International Theatre Olympiad in India, where he got the honor award for his contribution and excellent service to the promotion of the heritage of world performing arts. Lately he collaborates as performer with Iranian director Vahid (www.goossun.com) in the solo performance Inferno, planed to be presented in Denmark, England, Greece and Lebanon. Since autumn 2004 he leads laboratory theatre workshops in Greece and all over the world.
Contact details and registration:
Anna Emanuela Rakoczy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., mob. 668 043 360
General information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ośrodek Kultury ARSUS
14 Traktorzystów St
www.atropos-art.gr