ARCHIPELAGO
CARO DANCE THEATRE / MACIEJ KUŹMIŃSKI COMPANY
The new work by Kuźmiński is a caleidoscope of images and memories, capturing a man in a surreal space, where time wraps on itself. Recurring and seemingly disconnected scenes reflect the contemporary, fragmented world, where actual and virtual images blur beyond recognition.
Resulting is a portrait of five individuals, each having own story and desires, suspended in constant motion. They become a part of an archipelago of memories, which gradually envelops the audience with an unforgettable strength of imagery.
Kuźmiński reveals the solitude of an individual by stripping the choreography of any physical touch between the dancers. In his works he often creates strong and atmospheric stage images, which seem to create a sence of a journey. These in turn are contrasted with moments of suspension, where actors perform in slow motion, or prevail in painfully elongated stillness. The fragmented composition, existencial character of his works and links to XXI century philosophy ( in this case Deleuze’an concept of time-image ) all contribute to gradually emerging choreographic style of Maciej Kuźmiński.
Archipelago is about élan vital, the experience of life, not about reading or thinking of it – even though the source for the work was rooted in the XX’th Century philosophy, the Deleuzean concept of time-image. The work is visually very rich, mostly because it consists fragments, small bits of images forming scenes, which were brought in by the performers themselves. Archipelago is a kind of hybrid between the dancers experiences, their memories and their projections inspired by the sources such as films. One such source was Tarkovsky “Mirror”, which became a kind of reference point for us.
Adam Hypki, in an interview fortaniecpolska.pl
“The work draws the viewer into it’s inner world, subtlely regulating the changes of the mood, reflecting elusiveness of the past and subjectivity of memory”
"The work is accompanied by an atmosphere of understatement from the beginning to the end. The audience can contemplate the melancholy and peculiar timelessness in which the performance is immersed, or try to reconstruct the fate of individual characters, never being sure about the correctness of their assumptions."
Hanna Raszewska, article in taniecPOLSKA.pl
“The work draws the viewer into it’s inner world, subtlely regulating the changes of the mood, reflecting elusiveness of the past and subjectivity of memory”
"The work is accompanied by an atmosphere of understatement from the beginning to the end. The audience can contemplate the melancholy and peculiar timelessness in which the performance is immersed, or try to reconstruct the fate of individual characters, never being sure about the correctness of their assumptions."
Hanna Raszewska, article in taniecPOLSKA.pl
“Delving into this bizarre, non-linear world of Archipelago, a series of incredibly aesthetic, surrealistic images, one can experience the very nature of time.”
“In the archive of memory, everyday gestures, deprived of ‘praxis’, linger in the vacuum next to other images, home appliances and single words.”
“The choreographic work of Maciej Kuźmiński is an effect of intellectual work, becomes an attempt to forge the thought itself into images and performative events. It is a way to practice philosophy and antropology through artistic tools.”
Joanna Sarnecka, read the full article in taniecPOLSKA.pl
ARCHIPELAGO - ARTISTIC TEAM
Adam Hypki
dramaturgy & acting guidance
Ewa Garniec
lighting design
Justyna Jakubczyk-Lassota
costume design
DANCERS
Monika Witkowska
Grzegorz Łabuda
Anna Mikuła
Karol Miękina
Zuzanna Kasprzyk
ARCHIPELAGO
CARO DANCE THEATRE / MACIEJ KUŹMIŃSKI COMPANY
choreography, sound, production, set design, poster
Maciej Kuźmiński
performance & creation
Anna Mikuła, Grzegorz Łabuda, Monika Witkowska, Zuzanna Kasprzyk, Karol Miękina
dramaturgy & acting guidance
Adam Hypki
lighting design
Ewa Garniec
costume design & tailoring
Justyna Jakubczyk-Lassota
duration
70 min
premiere
25 November 2017, Siedlce, Poland
Andrzej Meżerycki Culture and Art Centre
photography
Katarzyna Machniewicz
trailer
Izabela Sawicka
production
Caro Dance Theatre, Siedlce, Poland
Zduńska Wola Culture House, Poland
supporters
Centre for Culture and Art in Siedlce, Poland
JOHAN Centrum in Pilsen, Czech Republic
Visegrad Artist Residency Fund – Performing Arts Grants
East European Performing Arts Programme – Small Grants
Institute of Music and Dance – “Scene for Dance 2017” grant for touring