Aliki Leftherioti

FOUR DANCERS AND A MUSICIAN INTERACT WITH ALL SORTS OF MATERIALS, COMPOSING A MULTICOLORED BODY COLLAGE. THESE CHARACTERS, INSPIRED BY PLATO’S SYMPOSIUM, BREATHE LIFE INTO INANIMATE OBJECTS, SMELLS AND TEXTURES, “DANCING” THE NARRATIVES OF LOVE STARTING FROM – AND GOING BEYOND – THE HUMAN CONDITION.

The human and non-human bodies along with the live electronic music develop a choreographic dialogue in an ironic mood and provocative proximity, exploring the question of what love is, taking into account qualities such as soft, wet or light. Thus, fine art has a leading role on stage. With matter at the centre, the dramaturgical method of the performance takes a neo-materialistic turn that suggests to understand love as a creation that embraces other aspects of the world, close to and beyond the human one. Materials become channels of co-creation and sensory activation.

“Eros is soft. For he neither walks on the earth nor on skulls, which are not very soft, but in what is softer he walks and dwells […] and besides these, he is also liquid in form”

This is how the bodies in Symposium behave, in constant and direct interaction with the stage materials, the soil, paint, water, fruits and plastic that dance to the contemplative rhythm of the speech of Aristophanes, Eriksimachus and Socrates. Thus we compose liquid choreographies, soft choreographies, human and divine choreographies, choreographies of matter and texture.

We build a world that is abstract yet coherent, open to different interpretations based on sensations and associations rather than cognitive processes. The surreal playing with the materials gives rise to an alternative reading of the ancient text, engaging the audience in a vicseral experience.

Idea/Artistic direction: Iro Vasalou
Perormers/co-creation: Lula Amir, Konstantinos Chairetis, Rallou Karella, Iro Vasalou
Music composition/performance: Aliki Leftherioti
Scenography advice: Nikolas Vamvouklis
Lights design: Marietta Pavlaki
Photos/Video: Alekos and Christos Bourelias
Graphic design: Dimitris Apostolakis
Production: ΣΝΑΠ Dance Company/Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall

Aliki Leftherioti

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