Music can be recorded, photographs and paintings reproduced, and movies can be seen over and over again, but dance must be experienced live. Although one might argue, correctly, that recordings, reproductions and DVD cannot compare to a live concert, viewing an original painting or installation, or seeing a film in the cinema – yet those experiences can be interesting and fun in themselves, while viewing dance on youtube, DVD or other formats is typically more frustrating than pleasing, at least for this writer. That is why it is all the more exciting when international choreographers and dance companies, such as Leszek Bzdyl and the Dada von Bzdülöw Theatre visit Israel, giving audiences the chance to become acquainted with their work.
Polish choreographer and director Bzdyl will arrive in Israel as part of the Jerusalem International Winter Project of Stage Center at the Gerard Behar Center in Jerusalem. Bzdyl will conduct a 5 day intensive workshop for dancers and choreographers, in parallel to workshops in theatre and set design for Israeli artists in these fields. The general public will have a unique opportunity to see the work of Bzdyl and his company in “Several Witty Observations” on Wednesday, March 24 at 21:00 – and at the very friendly cost of only 60 NIS!
“Several Witty Observations” is a dance work created in reference to the writings of Polish novelist and dramatist Witold Gombrowicz (1904 – 1969). Due to his refusal to conform to censorship, his works were not published in Poland until the early 1970s, but today he is regarded as a prominent figure in Polish literature. His writing, with its psychological analytic perspective and sense of the absurd, has been associated with writers and philosophers such as Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Lacan and Jean-Paul Satre. In this work, Bzdyl engages with Gombrowicz and the existential issues invoked by his writing through visual, physical and dramatic means.
Bzdyl founded the Dada von Bzdülöw Theatre was founded in 1993 in Gdańsk with dancer and choreographer Katarzyna Chmielewska. An independent group of dancers and actors, their work often refers to literary sources such as Boris Vian and George Tabori. The company has participated in many international festivals and co-productions; however, Gdańsk remains the main venue for their performances.
Enjoy the youtube clip, if you will – but don’t miss the opportunity to see this intriguing company perform live!
Before Noon, Before Dusk (Przed południem, przed zmierzchem) Premiered 7 March 2009 at Nowy Theatre in Łódź. Directed by Piotr Cieplak, choreography by Leszek Bzdyl, music by Patryk Zakrocki, Paweł Szamburski.
From Mirosław Baran, „Gazeta Wyborcza – Trójmiasto”:
“Dada’s most recent production doesn’t feature a coherent story or an important theme, big idea, social engagement or struggle for the one and only truth. There is, on the other hand, an attempt to raise simple gesture, feeling, moments of daydream to the rank of key events. These may have nothing to do with the history of the world, but they are moments, however fleeting, of extreme importance to the characters.”
As part of the Stage Center workshops, three of the participating Israeli artists will be selected for a residency program in Poland. The artistic committee, dance – Naomi Fortis, theatre – Michah Lewensohn, and set design – Roni Toren, will announce the nominations after the performance.
Several Witty Observations
Director: Leszek Bzdyl
Choreography and Performance: Katarzyna Chmielewska, Rafal Dziemidok, Leszek Bzdyl
Music: Mikolaj Trzaska
March 24 at 21:00, Gerard Behar Center, 11 Bezalel Street, Jerusalem
Tickets: 02-6251139 (call between 16:30 and 19:00) 60 NIS, 35 NIS for groups
AYELET DEKEL
