YEAR 2 | U(R)TOPIAS ACADEMY OF CHOREOGRAPHY
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YEAR 2 | U(R)TOPIAS ACADEMY OF CHOREOGRAPHY -
PART OF 2023 ΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ | EUROPEAN CAPITAL of CULTURE
MYSTERY 59 / YEAR 2 / EPISODE 6
DUNK (S.02 E.06)
Diamanto Hadjizacharia
DATES: 29 & 30 June, 1 & 2 July 2023
Concept · Choreography · Photographs · Video: Diamanto Chatzizacharia Music: Alexandros Christofidis Performance: Eleftheria Agapaki, Sofia Anastasiou, Ioanna Karategou, Maritina Katsimpraki With the generous participation of young people from the Cultterra group in Elefsina
This work deals with the idea of change occurring in the landscape and society of a small town. It explores the issue from the perspective of young people (Gen Z); specifically, how their quest for personal development affects their environment. It reflects a hopeful attempt at change and reconfiguration through a chaotic harmony of young and tireless bodies.
The work is inspired by the metamorphoses of Elefsina during the last 100 years. While the past is still visible in the landscape of the city, surrendered to the wear and tear of time, young people are redefining their identity and dreaming of a better future for their hometown.
The kinetic material is inspired by the young people’s routine: from the daily walks and group sports to parties and nightlife, while repetitiveness symbolises their relentless striving for personal development. The performers invite the audience to participate in their chaotic encounter, creating an ephemeral community that reminds us of Elefsina: it is influenced by the interaction between its people, and it welcomes change.
A NOTE BY THE CHOREOGRAPHER
To begin with, if we consider change to be a concept – or rather a reality – that lives very deeply within us, then we have to admit that it is a reality that has not stopped deceiving us since the beginning of our lives. Perhaps that is why every time we go back to memories – usually unintentionally – we are confronted with a person we often fail to recognise.
In Elefsina I found a community full of life in a ghost town. There I could understand what transformation really means – where buildings crumble while people flourish. There, I found difficulties but also people who learned to overcome them.
The project came about almost automatically, with only a few interventions on my part. The choreographic process was so organic that the work took shape on its own, without much input from me. I realised this when I couldn’t fully recall how we got here. The performers were willing to walk around for months and get nowhere, which helped the creative process tremendously.
To conclude, all I can say is that the project is as much ours as it is yours.
© Photos: John Kouskoutis
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