Keren Levi
UNMUTE
Anyone can break being mute. Even if it is done with the body. In UNMUTE, Israeli choreographer Keren Levi brings together three dancers* from company NeverLike and two musicians* from ensemble Slagwerk Den Haag. The performers* wear sensors on their bodies and become music machines, cyborgs of sound, through their movements. Additionally, computer-generated voices are thrown into the mix, seemingly conversing in futuristic languages. The material for this soundscape is actually from the “Endangered Languages Archive” at London University. This multimedia collection houses more than 450 languages that are on the brink of extinction. We do not have to concentrate on content or meaning of language while watching and listening. The abstract choreography transforms the pure desire for communication into sound and movement. In this manner, Levi opens unforeseen spaces for that which can be said and heard. A technological miracle! With an added political dimension: UNMUTE is a music-dance-performance against being hushed.
Organically merging body and sound – this is a lifelong topic for Israeli choreographer Keren Levi. A topic which she, time and again, dares to bring into unexplored territory. Most recently, she made works by genius musical pioneer Morton Feldman dance, in FOOTNOTES and DEPARTING LANDSCAPES. Now, she goes one step further, together with composer Yannis Kyriadikes.
Concept and Musical Composition: Yannis Kyriakides. Concept and Choreography: Keren Levi. Dance, Music and Choreography: Eva Susova, Charlie Laban Trier, Matthew Day. Drums, Dance and musical composition: Marianna Soroka, Assi Weitz (Fedor Teunisse, Pepe Garcia during the developmental phase). Dramaturgical Consultant: Igor Dobričić. Sensor Server and Software Development: Darien Brito. Sensor System and Audio Technology: Michele Abolaffio. Lighting Design and Lighting Technology: Martin Kaffarnik. Four Costumes: Ginta Tinte. Costumes: Assi Weitz, Keren Levi. Graphic Design: Miritte Ben Yitzchak. Photography: Eti Steinberg. Video: Assi Weitz. Management & Strategy: Jette Schneider (NeverLike / Transistor) Liesbeth Kok (Slagwerk Den Haag). Concept Development for Fund-Raisers: Judith Schoneveld (NeverLike / Transistor). Marketing & PR: Liorah Hoek (NeverLike), Marije de Graaf (Slagwerk Den) Haag). Production: Stephie Kolman (Slagwerk Den Haag). UNMUTE is a co-production by Keren Levi, NeverLike and Slagwerk Den Haag (The Hague). Supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL, Norma Fund, Creative Industries Fund NL and the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts. Our special gratitude goes out to the ICK Dans Amsterdam, FFT Düsseldorf and Veem House for Performance. Supported by the Kunststiftung NRW as part of the “Who is speaking?” series.