The wonders of Momix return to Israel this month with a new creation by Moses Pendleton: Alchemia. The very name inspires associations of fantastic lore and miraculous transformations, and indeed the dancers of Momix seem to achieve the impossible time and again, creating visions of beauty, sensuality, humor, and enticing illusions. Pendleton’s previous work, Botanica, performed at the Israel Festival 2012 and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, explored the magnitude of nature and its changes (read the full review here). In Alchemia, the focus is on the four elements: earth, air, fire and water.
Alchemy will be performed in Israel from May 27 – 30, 2015, with performances at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Alchemists of antiquity were scientist-wizards who sought to create the elusive philosopher’s stone which could change base metals into gold, and held the secrets to the elixir of life.
“I am fascinated by the ideas of metamorphosis;” stated Pendleton in an interview on the Momix website, “I see nature and the natural world as a scene of continual transformation, and seeing the human form connected to the non-human (i.e. plants, animals, minerals), continues to be an interest. I came to realize that alchemy is the great metaphor for the dream of transformation, including transforming the inner self. So, like so many others before me, I plunged myself into alchemical studies.”
Moses Pendleton founded Momix in 1980, in collaboration with Alison Becker Chase. The company is known for their visual and physical creativity in creating mesmerizing illusions onstage. Pendleton’s affinity to nature and its forms might be attributed to his background, he was born and raised on a dairy farm in Vermont. After graduating from Dartmouth College with a BA in English Literature, he co-founded Pilobolus, a dance company known for its unique collaborative work, acrobatic sculptural dance and humor, with Robby Barnett, Alison Becker Chase, Martha Clarke, Lee Harris, Michael Tracy, and Jonathan Wolken.
A performance by Momix is an exhilarating experience, a journey of the imagination!
Performances:
Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center – Wednesday, May 27th at 20:00; Thursday, May 28th at 20:00; Friday, May 29th at 13:00; Saturday, May 30th at 21:00. To order tickets call: 03-6927777.
Jerusalem Theater – Monday, June 1, 2015 at 20:30. Tickets may be ordered from Bimot, via this link.
Haifa Auditorium – Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 20:30. To order tickets call: 04-8662244.
Ticket prices range from 186 – 299 NIS.
