A Polish-Norwegian dance theater performance prepared by an international team of artists combines inspiration with Sami, Norwegian and Polish indigenious and folk music with folk dances of Norway, Poland and Ukraine.
The artists prepared a unique dance piece for a broad audience. An energetic, engaging, family oriented performance will introduce you to folklore dance, music and costumes combined with contemporary dance, music and visuals.
The music for the performance was created by the polish composer, arranger and instrumentalist Witold Jarosiński and the norwegian multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Luíra. Her composition Til Pappa is dedicated to her late father Louis. Luíra will perform on stage playing traditional Sami frame drum to the heart beat rythm of her father, which is the red thread of the composition. Artist will also play traditional norwegian Hardingfele violin in other parts of the performance.
The performance is accompanied by visuals by Jędrzej Borkiewicz inspired by the beauty of nature and the Northern Lights and a short documentary on the creation of the original folk costumes inspired by the visually impaired.
Borderless state of mind performance addresses many aspects of tolerance, migration and integration. Dance has been a platform for people from all around the world to come and meet. No words needed – only movement. However, we come from different cultures, we behave differently and have different temperament and so do our folk dances.
One of the dances featured in the piece is Finnskogpols – a dance that was now known to only few people in Norway actively dancing this dance. Artists during their research talked to them and reached one of the dancers who showed them the steps. It will be performed on stage by the international team of dancers.
We will feature a variety of folk costumes – from Norway (bunad / festdrakt), through Poland (łowicki) and especially designed costumes created in cooperation with the visually impaired.
The artists hosted workshops in Norwegian and Polish folk dance in Poland and welcomed the visually impaired participants to dance, practice choreography, hear the music, clap beats and both wear costumes and know their texture.
The artists then conducted the interviews to learn their artistic vision for the new costumes. Their creativity combined with craftsmanship of costume designers resulted into one of a kind artistic garments symbolizing integration. The costumes best representing their concepts will be featured in the performance.
Feel welcome to join the journey with us and experience the Borderless state of mind.
Creators / Artists
Choreography: Anna Helmobakk
Music: Witold Jarosiński
Music and live music: Luíra
Creation and realization of multimedia: Jędrzej Borkiewicz
Cast: Palina Chapulianets, Anna Helmobakk, Vilde Andrea Jensen, Anastasija Kuprejeva, Maja Lubawa, Damian Drozd, Jarl-Tore Helmobakk, Andrei Kamarou, Paweł Skalski
Consultations in the field of Polish dances: Paweł Skalski
Making of original folk costumes inspired by workshops with visually impaired people: Barbara Lorens
Production: Jarl-Tore Helmobakk, DanceLab DansensHus, Tromsø production of the residence in Łódź / Production of the residency in Łódź: Sonia Nieśpiałowska. Matter
Tour manager: Agnieszka Czichy
Poster design / graphic design: Jędrzej Borkiewicz
The project received funding from the program: Bilateral Cooperation under Program “Culture”, EEA Grants
Partners
Matter, Lodz
Academy of Music Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz in Lodz
Special thanks to
dr Marcin Bohenek, artistic director of the Song and Dance Ensemble «Podlasie» Iwona Brzezińska, head of the Song and Dance Ensemble «Poltex»
Kartellet dance company
State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble «Mazowsze»
Chance for the Blind Foundation