ALI
Research 2008-2010
 
2010 As a human being living in a modern society we are constantly moving in a constellation of different rhythms. Our everyday life is influenced by the rhythmical structures that surround us: they depend on the size and culture of the place we live in, economic dynamics and the rules and laws of our society. But we have also acquired our own personal rhythms based on family background, education, personality and daily routine that can stand in contrast to external conditions. Within this field of tension we live together and next to each other. Rhythm connects us but it can also move us to retreat. Considering rhythm as an essential element of life, the research have been aiming to translate social dynamics into a network of relations between the movement of human bodies, sound, space and time. Three dancers and one live musician have been working on these ideas. “I like to spend some time to experiment physically with the ideas and thoughts that I have collected so far and to research in depth on a way of transferring them into a dance language”. 2008-2009 The studies of Marius Schneider, who stands unrivaled among twentieth-century scholars of musicology, are the starting point for Ali research project. Among other subjects, Schneider deeply studies the idea of rhythm. He considered it as an unconscious phenomenon and therefore as an aspect of spiritual life. He believed that any natural activity (just as the natural music) is not fixing an established order, a rigid schema. The natural rhythm (asymmetrical rhythm) is a repetition, in which what is repeated is not exactly the same: only the essential (fundamental) returns, always with new forms. He defined what is “natural” as a “ritual”: a ritual perceived as a repetition of similarities. Using an 9/8 rhythm as an example, Schneider describes the essential difference between a symmetrical division of time (in which 9 is divided in 3 x 3) and an asymmetrical one (in which 9 is divided in 2 + 2 + 2 + 3). The first division is schematic and mechanical, the second one is alive, because it marks a progression and an interlayer of pauses. He considers the natural division healthier, because it shakes and it more elastic, while the succession of two equal rhythm patterns limits us to a rigid structure. “My interest lies in the observation of society, bringing theoretical and philosophical ideas to a concrete and physical contest: dance. Speaking in terms of movement and human body, dance is an art form most present in our society and with it, rhythm is constantly visible, because it is shaping and reflecting our human condition”. History The research, divided in various working blocks, was conducted from November 2008 till June 2010, in artblau Tanzwerkstatt in Brauschweig and in Studio LaborGras in Berlin. Dancers who took part to the research process have been: Viviana Defazio, Elisabeth Stockinger and Raffaella Galdi. Fabio Mina has been taking care of the music composition and improvisation. artblau Tanzwerkstatt residencies, Braunschweig November 2008 with: Raffaella Galdi and Fabio Mina April 2009 with: Raffaella Galdi, Viviana Defazio, Fabio Mina July 2009 with: Raffaella Galdi, Viviana Defazio, Fabio Mina   Studio LaborGras residencies, Berlin February 2009 with: Raffaella Galdi, Viviana Defazio, Fabio Mina June 2010 with: Raffaella Galdi, Viviana Defazio, Elisabeth Stockinger Supported by artblau Tanzwerkstatt Braunschweig and Studio LaborGras Berlin. From the exploration conducted during this last two years I gave shape to the dance performance “Relations”, commissioned by Theater Vorpommern for the TanZZeiT Festival 2010 and the dance-video “Ufergang”, created in collaboration with the video maker Carlos Bustamante.
 
 
 
 
 
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
Photo: Carlos Bustamante
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