A double bill by two choreographers to music by Björk
BJÖRK is a sci-fi dance performance presenting two possible future realities, somewhere in between dystopia and utopia. In current times where the earth is melting and our systems are breaking down, we need to reimagine what a future world could look like. Through her music, the Icelandic artist and the pop cultural phenomenon Björk invites us to imagine and dream up future landscapes, whether these are geographical or emotional. This piece, created as a double bill by two choreographers on a great variety of Björk’s catalogue of eminent songs, wants to contribute to this creation of landscapes which may or may not be in a potential future.
DOLLY SFEIR – EVERYBODY IS HAPPY THESE DAYS
Björk songs in order of appearance:
- Pagan Poetry (Vespertine, 2001)
- An echo, a stain (Vespertine, 2001)
- Come to my (Debut, 1993)
- Harm of will (Vespertine, 2001)
In this piece we are visiting a new and protected micro-reality inside of which six characters are living and getting formed.
A strict system controls the characters’ everyday lives by teaching them what to believe, coercing them to react in certain ways and conditioning them into molded models of behavior. But what happens when their instincts propel them to suddenly behave or react in a way not predefined by the system? And will the system’s inevitable collapse drag its inhabitants down with it?
In Björk’s universe and music, there are several layers of instrumentation and emotional environments, and her multifaceted productions and complex layering has inspired the idea for Dolly Sfeir’s performance. In Björk’s music, mechanical sounds and rigid systems of rhythm co-exist with unpredictable expressions of emotions and love. In her songs, she creates new systems and realities, inviting listeners to do the same.
Everybody is happy these days investigates the concept of the fabricated human body and mind, ironizing and satirizing our construction. It wants to look into what elements weaken a normative system – true connection, care and individuality – and how we are stifled to protect it.
Besides Björk’s music, the piece is very much inspired by the classic sci-fi novel Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley as well as the works by the Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo.
GUNILLA LIND – AORTA
Björk’s songs in order of appearance:
- Venus as a boy (Debut, 1993)
- Black Lake (Vulnicura, 2015)
Family (Vulnicura, 2015) - Joga (Homogenic, 1997)
In this piece we are wearing our heart at our sleeves.
The chosen Björk songs describes a place in a person’s life where feelings and emotions are maximized – the thrill of falling in love, the crippling heartache. Or as Björk describes it in her song Jóga: “State of emergency / How beautiful to be”.
The core of Gunilla Linds piece is love and the transformation through love.
Aorta is not driven by a linear narrative but by shifting emotional states and the intense red visual imagery of this universe makes you question whether the piece is taking place inside or outside the body and its organs. It pays tribute to Björk as a popcultural icon by creating a performance with references to all kind of popculture from fashion shows to MTV. In Aorta you will be presented to different states of love through Björk’s music and strong visual and physical investigations inspired by both the anatomical as well as the popcultural heart <3.
Direction and choreography
Dolly Sfeir & Gunilla Lind
Choreographic co-creation
Bjørk-Mynte Buchgraitz Paulse, Jon Ipina, Matthew Rawcliffe, Marija Burceva, Luke Hodkinson, Jacob Lang, Haizea Andueza, Ella Ström
Music
Björk
Dramaturgy
Rikke Frigast Jakobsen
New composition & sound universe
Asger Bruun & Marie Højlund
Scenography & costume design
Åsa Gjerstad
Light design
Thora Eriksen
Guitar
Domenico Mannelli
Violin
Katrine Grarup Elbo
Cast
Holstebro Dance Company
Participating dancers from Holstebro Dansekompagni
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Bjørk-Mynte Buchgraitz Paulse
Danish Bjørk-Mynte has a background in classical ballet, she atteneded The Royal Danish Balletschool in Odense. She went on to get her bachelor degree from Oslo National Academy of the Arts 2018. Herefter she has freelance as dancer and teacher, teaching contemporary dance, lyrical contemporary and yoga.
Denmark
She/her
She joined Holstebro Dance Company in the spring of 2021.
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Jon Ipina
Spanish Jon Ipina received his education from Codarts, University of Arts in Rotterdam in 2020 and finished his education with an internship at Skånes Danseteater in Malmö. Here he, amongst others, participated in productions by Ôrjan Andersson and Marcos Morau.
The Basque Country, Spain
He/him
He joined Holstebro Dance Company in the autumn of 2020.
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Matthew Rawcliffe
English Matthew started as an actor at the National Youth Theater of Great Britain, after which he graduated from the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. In 2019, Matthew won the contemporary dance category and became a finalist in BBC Young Dancer of 2019. Matthew is already recognized for his choreographic talent. He has most recently been an intern at Norrdans in Sweden.United Kingdom
He/him
He joined Holstebro Dance Company in the spring of 2021.
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Marija Burceva
Marija Burceva (LV) graduated from Riga Ballet school in 2018 and continued her education in Codarts University for the Arts (NL). After having her internship with TanzLuzern (CH) last year, she got a Bachelor degree in Dance and is now a member of the dance staff at Holstebro Dance Company.
Latvia
She/her
She joined Holstebro Dance Company in the autumn of 2022
Follow Marija Burceva on Instagram here
Photographer: Ditte Chemnitz
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Luke Hodkinson
English Luke started dancing through cheerleading and hip hop, before graduating from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2021. Since then, they has worked across commercial and contemporary settings with the likes of Alexandra Green, Hannah Marshall and Corey Baker, touring pop-up contemporary dance in Scotland and performing in the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
United Kingdom
They/them
They joined Holstebro Dance Company in the autumn of 2022
Follow Luke Hodkinson on Instagram here
Photographer: Ditte Chemnitz
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Jacob Lang
Jacob Lang from London, UK, graduated from Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in 2018. In his final year, he was an apprentice with Didy Veldman’s Umanoove and then the following year an apprentice with James Wilton Dance through London Contemporary Dance School apprenticeship programme. After completing his apprenticeship, Jacob worked as a professional dancer with James Wilton Dance alongside other freelance dance projects until the present where he is a member of the dance staff at Holstebro Dance Company.
United Kingdom
He/him, they/them
He joined Holstebro Dance Company in the autumn of 2022
Follow Jacob Lang here on Instagram
Photographer: Ditte Chemnitz
