Rozbark Theatre

The programme consists of the following choreographies:

• Territory
  
• Balance of Democracy
  
• Egoistic Experiment
  

Intermission

• Gemini, a triptych
  

Part 1

TERRITORY

Concept, choreography, costume: Anna Piotrowska
Music by Anna Piotrowska and a fragment of 'Na smętarzu mieszkać będę performed by Adam Strug
Dancers: Joanna Brodniak, Katarzyna Zioło

Referring to the definition of territory as a part of the Earth surface belonging to a given state, my work examines, among other things, the idea of borders becoming fluid as a result of their inhabitants being aware of their being and coexistence. Territory, also as in animals, is an area defended against other members of the same species. From the very outset, I was drawn to the notion of a self-standing creation, a being. I was absolutely fascinated by the idea of costume becoming set design. A hypnotic weight that puts people into an inner, organic trance. When interacting with with costume, the body-object creates meaningful images. The dramatic international situation following Russia's inexplicable aggression and the ensuing cruel war in Ukraine inspires deep reflection. The prop I worked with triggered many reactions, evoking syndromes of statelessness, homelessness, total insecurity. What is ownership? What does consumerism mean for each of us? How much humility is there in us? What are the limits of statehood? To what extent can territory become a self-standing entity? Who do we award our empathy and compassion? Ultimately, dualism prevails along with the understanding that there is enough space for everyone. Environmental themes of living in total symbiosis and harmony with nature. North, south, east, west, inside, outside, ownership, emptiness. What lives, dies. It dies to make room for the new. 'Ashes to ashes you were created, dust to dust you shall return…' (AP)

BALANCE OF DEMOCRACY

Concept, choreography, space: Anna Piotrowska
Music: Ekman GMMDI / Anna Piotrowska
Dancers: Kamil Bończyk, Daniel Zych

Working on the duet Balance of Democracy became a space for me to explore the concept of democracy. I grew intrigued by the idea of representing democracy by means of a bodily sign or gesture. I realised that for a democratic system to thrive, a certain state of balance must be maintained in the society. To achieve peace and moderation you must find a balance, or a physical state when all the forces affecting your body cancel each other out, causing you to remain still. I conceived the physical sign of two bodies alternating between standing on their hands and feet. The upside-down body position is difficult to achieve but can be mastered and treated as a real alternative to standing on one's feet. I was fascinated by being in between these two states and this became the starting point for me to understand the mechanisms of the democratic system, which is so incredibly tenuous.

EGOISTIC EXPERIMENT / I AM THE PERFORMANCE

Choreography and performance: Anna Piotrkowska
Music: Aleksandra Piotrowska's cover of '(Feels Like) Heaven' by Fiction Factory, lyrics: Kevin Patterson and Eddie Jordan

It is important to grasp the moment when you truly know what your art means. You begin to understand who you are. The way you acquired that knowledge proves that you have become the performance. Your every motion and awareness of how you are, reveals who you are. And you really start to appreciate and value yourself. Yes, YOU ARE A PERFORMER and as such you experience beautifully egoistical satisfaction, tolerance, and openness to others. It is as simple as it gets. (AP)

Part 2

GEMINI, a triptych

Concept and choreography : Anna Piotrowska
Music: Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Symphony No. 3 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs' (Lento e largo – Tranquillissimo, Lento - Cantabile-semplice, Lento - Sostenuto tranquillo, ma cantabile)
Recorded by Orchestra Filarmonica de Gran Canaria, Adrian Leaper (conductor), Doreen de Feis (soprano)
Creation and performance: Kamil Bończyk, Joanna Brodniak, Anna Piotrowska, Alexey Torgunakov, Katarzyna Zioło

The piece builds on three earlier choreographies under similar titles. Its predecessors focused on the bonds existing between seemingly inseparable Siamese sisters. This became the starting point for expanding the piece for a cast of three, and then five performers. The latest version of Gemini is a triptych. It consist of three parts bound together by Henryk Górecki’s music: Sacrifice, Story, Communion. The motif of twin's bond is expanded to include the context of a social ecosystem and the interdependence of its elements. The essence is the physical dialogue, in which the harmony and strength of the (in)presence of the individual and the bodily interactions of the community are sought.

The piece received a Złota Maska, an award presented for outstanding performing arts achievement in the Silesian region.