A unique experiment which connects choral chanting, calligraphy, motion and video screening. The spectator is a witness to several layers of the composition, self-inspiring and merging into a unique shape: The minimalist motion of the vocalists, the dynamic motion of the performer and their visual and audio imprint. The choral melody is accompanied with a peculiar sound design, working with the sound of the instruments and the floor, enabling the spectator to physically experience the singing in motion. Everything is shot from an unusual angle by a camera above, tracking the emerging “motion calligraphy”.

The authors were inspired by the art of Chinese-Japanese calligraphy, an important part of which is the preparation process. “The location of the necessary things, rubbing and mixing the ink, concentration on the gesture … all of this takes a very long time. The actual act of calligraphy is then performed within fifteen seconds. The motion of the hand and wrist is transferred to the body, the brush is actually conducted by the whole body. We are tempted to try something like this on stage.”

The live singing of the vocalists is based on the love story of The Song of Songs, done in antiphons at the end of the 15th century. The composition also includes original techniques and inventions. They help to achieve one of the intentions of the whole projects – to investigate what man is able to do when singing and moving at the same time.

Premiere: September 12, 2008

http://vrstveni.cz/
Acknowledgements: Oldřich Král, Ivo Medek, Štěpán Škoch, Barbora Sojková, Hana Blažíková, Václav Bláha, Jiří Hodina and Handa gote research and development

Supported by: Manon Record, game:factory jitex, Prague City Hall, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, MOTUS civic association – ALFREDVEDVORE theatre production

photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová photo Magdaléna Bláhová