Dance Diptych

Following the successful collaboration with the University of Patras and the presentation of Dancing (fancy)* performance and inclusive workshops, Prosxima Dance Company presents a Dance Diptych featuring dancers Vivi Christodoulopoulou and Demy Papathanasiou. This will take place at the 1st Festival of the University of Patras' Unit for Equal Access, "The Art of Diversity," on May 27th at 18.30 in Amphitheater I4 of the Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. Detailed information about the performance follows.

Dance Diptych

C for Clay

A solo work choreographed for and with the performer Vivi Christodoulopoulou exploring notions of labor and action as two components of human existence and their interrelation towards a revelation and a human transformation. The use of two organic materials, clay and buckwheat, suggests a connection to the earth as well as an archetypical state of existence. The disabled female body of Vivi Christodoulopoulou dominates and influences the choreography with her unique perspective.

Choreography: Maria Koliopoulou 

Performer: Vivi Christodoulopoulou

Sound design: Yiannis Isidorou 

Dramaturgy consultant: Betina Panagiotara

 Artistic collaborator: Mariza Vinieratou

Light design: Thomas Economacos 

Photo: Loukas Stavrou

Production: Prosxima Dance Company

Who am I today?

The choreographer Demy Papathanasiou explores the question of who we are today, focusing on the unique experiences of Crips and their mental health. 'As I enter the studio every day, the persistent question echoes in my mind: "Who am I today?" What can a Crip/different body do when it enters the stage space? Is a Crip person's mental health different from anyone else's? 'A performance about our collective or individual mental health, trauma, acceptance, discovery, and personal evolution.

Credits 

Concept/Choreography/Performance: Demy Papathanasiou 

Composer: Avgustinos Michalopoulos Stathopoulos 

Choreography Consultant: Katerina Gevetzi

 Lighting Consultant: Thomas Economacos 

Video: Grigoris Stathopoulos 

Residency Support: LIMINAL 

Production: Prosxima Dance Company

Definition of Crip: A term historically used to stigmatize and oppress disabled individuals. It has been reclaimed by some disabled people. It should only be used with permission from the community or the individual to whom it refers; for the choreographer, it is a political statement of rejecting the normative.

*The Action 'Dancing (fancy)' was implemented with the support John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation in the framework of "Points of Support", a co-funded programme by 10 public benefit foundations. Co-organized by the M.Sc in Public Health and the Laboratory of Speech and Drama of the Department of Theatre Studies of the University of Patras