SIDE(S), Mechanics of the Present
A real score : the 40’ performance :
During the opening show, the two dancers perform in the interactive space and interact with it. The electroacoustic music, images and light show are driven by them.
A virtual score played by the audience :
After the performance, the audience is invited inside the installation, their memory still imprinted with the striking audio and visual trace of what they just saw. It is their turn to interact with the installation, to bring up Elisabeth Prouvost’ images in the mirror in lieu of their reflection, and ponder on the disappearance and reappearance of their own body.
SIDE(S), Mechanics of the Present develops the vision of the present as perpetual motion of the existing.
SIDE(S) plays out in two parts :
an interactive installation and music and dance performances. These two parts correspond to a real and a virtual score.
How does the present spring from the past?
What traces does it leave?
Are there hidden mechanics to the present?
Presentation :
Side(s) – Mechanics of the Present is both an acoustic and visual installation and a performance by two dancers and one musician. The set comprises an interactive mirror facing a MIDI organ. As the audience interacts with the mirror, it triggers the display of moving images which superimpose over the participants’ reflections in the mirror. The organ replies to the electroacoustic music piece based on those moving images. As an opening sequence, two dancers and a musician offer a performance using the set and revealing its central theme focusing on disappearance and reappearance.
A collaborative work :
This project stemmed from the photographic work of Elisabeth Prouvost. Her images show nascent and entangled bodies in continuous movement. Pedro Pauwels’ choreography is inspired by the origin of motion, through the appearance of gestures and the disappearance of bodies.
Design and Music : Alexandre Lévy
Choreography : Pedro Pauwels
Images : Élisabeth Prouvost
Dance : Pedro Pauwels et Patrick Entât
Organ : Alexandre Lévy
Art director : Alexandre Lévy
Technical design : Angélique Verbeck
Stage manager : Patrick Chazal
Computerized musical programming : Max bruckert
Light creation : Eveline Rubert
Jointly produced by aKousthéa, Compagnie Pedro Pauwels, GRAME (CNCM), La Muse en Circuit (CNCM), Le Cube Issy les Moulineaux,
Le Métaphone – Oignies, La Ferme du Buisson – Scène Nationale de Marne la Vallée, Le Centre des Arts – Enghien. Les orgues Didier Guiraud.
With the support of
Dates of performances and installations :
December 11 and 12nd 2015 : Creation of the outside version with participation of LE BALLET DU NORD at LE METAPHONE (Oignies) Electroacoustic music, organ and E. Prouvost's images were screened and played on the sound exterior wall of the METAPHONE during Festival "LES FUGUES SONORES", Oignies.
March from 1 to 27th 2016 : inauguration of the completed work at La Biennale "MUSIQUES EN SCENE" of the GRAME 2016 event. Lyon, CAUE Rhône Metropole. live performance on the March 2th.
May 5th 2016 : installations and performance at Main d'oeuvre, St Ouen, festival "EXTENSIONS" by la Muse en Circuit.
Production schedule :
October 2014 : Test residency at LE CUBE
Autumn winter 2014 : Creation of the score and corresponding video
Jan. / feb. 2015 : Recording sessions at the La Muse en Circuit studio.
March / april 2015 : composition of the electroacoustic music for the virtual score. Residency at the Centre des Arts – Enghien.
May/june 2015 : Residency at GRAME for interactivity work
June 8 to 12th 2015 : residency at LE CUBE to create the installation inside and residency live performance.
Autumn 2015 : On-site test of the installation at LE METAPHONE
Jaan. 2016 : Creative residency at La Ferme du Buisson – Scène Nationale de Marne la Vallée.
Interview made at LE CUBE, Issy les moulineaux. June 2015.
