national premiere
choreography: Ina Christel Johannessen
dancers: Kristina Søetorp, Dimitri Jourde,
Jon Filip Fahlstrøm, Vebjørn Sundby
set design/costumes: graa hverdag as/Kristin Torp
light design: Kyrre Heldal Karlsen
international tour management:
Campai vzw / Bruno Heynderickx
produced by: zero visibility corp
production manager: Cathe Sjøblom
co-producers: Fabrik Potsdam, Tyskland,
Dansens Hus, Stockholm, Dansens Hus, Oslo
Supported by: Norwegian Council for Cultural Affairs, Fund for performing Artists, Sparebanken Vest Oktoberdanspris 2004, Kgl Norske Ambassade
The myth of the cave describes individuals chained deep within the recesses of a cave. Bound so that vision is restricted, they cannot see one another. The only thing visible is the wall of the cave upon which appear shadows cast by models or statues of animals and objects that are passed before a brightly burning fire. Breaking free, one of the individuals escapes from the cave into the light of day. With the aid of the sun, that person sees for the first time the real world and returns to the cave with the message that the only things they have seen heretofore are shadows and appearances and that the real world awaits them if they are willing to struggle free of their bonds. The shadowy environment of the cave symbolizes for Plato the physical world of appearances. Escape into the sun-filled setting outside the cave symbolizes the transition to the real world, the world of full and perfect being, the world of Forms, which is the proper object of knowledge. Nature of Forms. The theory of Forms may best be understood in terms of mathematical entities.
The word "intense" hardly scratches the surface of what this company - Zero Visibility Corp, from Norway - achieves on stage. The choreography is physically pulverising, and the emotional states that flicker across the performers' bodies and faces have a rawness that makes you want to look away while keeping you glued to the action. (The Herald)
Ina Christel Johannessen's new ballet turns the world upside down, not once but several timnes during its duration; a full 90 minutes without intermission. (Ballettanz)
Zero Visibity corp
Choreographer Ina Christel Johannessen founded Zero Visibility in 1996.
Since the beginning the company has been marked by Johannesen's particular choreographic style, merged with the visuals of many stage designers and visual artists. The work is based on improvisation surrounding diverse themes, and the material is created in close dialogue with everybody involved. The soundscape also plays an important part in the performances. Zero Visibility works with some of the most innovative artists within experimental electronic music.
Characteristic for the company is the ambition to create an ambivalent pleasure in the audience. The audience are entertained, but simultaneously the images are displaced in a slightly disturbing way.
Among the most important creations of Zero visibility corp: Suppose this time I see what he saw (2000), ...it´s only a rehearsal (2003), (but) that night I found her very alluring (2006).
zero visibility corp. | photo © ERIK BERG
