Mycelium
Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon & Christos Papadopoulos
The mycelium is the part of fungi that we know the least about because we can’t see it. Beneath our feet, in the humus of the forests, this huge network of threads enables the trees and the fungal kingdom to communicate with each other and exchange nutrients. Inspired by the workings of this underground network, Christos Papadopoulos transfers the vitality of its currents to the bodies of the Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon. Together, the 20 dancers form a moving, turbulent structure in which information – every small gesture and its micro-variations, every momentary adjustment – circulates freely. They are accompanied by the repetitive music of Coti K., a stream of offbeats and electronic loops.
The Greek choreographer is fascinated by the creativity and inscrutability inherent in natural processes and translates his observations into artistic creations. He brings nature to the stage as a complex web of relationships. For example, he has worked with flocks of birds and fish (“Ion”, 2018) or the slow melting of an iceberg (“Larsen C”, 2021).
Duration: ca. 1 h
Without the use of language
Following the performance on 23.08. there will be an audience discussion.
German premiere in cooperation with Tanz im August (Berlin)
The Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon has developed an extensive repertoire over the last few decades as a classical ensemble with a passion for the contemporary. The ensemble has studied choreographies by Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown, William Forsythe and Sasha Waltz, among others, but has also worked with Benjamin Millepied and Mathilde Monnier. It is under the artistic direction of Cédric Andrieux.
Christos Papadopoulos studied dance and choreography at the SNDO (School for New Dance Development) in Amsterdam and is a graduate of the drama school of the National Theater in Athens. His previous choreographies ELVEDON, OPUS, ION and LARSEN C have been presented at numerous international festivals. His choreographies are often described as minimalist and precise, developing into energetic choreography through rhythm and repetition.
Costantino Luca Rolando Kiriakos, better known as Coti K., has been active in various pioneering electronic bands in Athens since the mid-’80s. As a musician, composer, installation artist, record producer/engineer and sound designer, he has collaborated with many artists, including Tuxedomoon, Dimitris Papaioannou, ILIOS, Dennis Iliadis, Yorgos Lanthimos, Babis Makridis, Christos Papadopoulos and Nikos Veliotis. Since 2014, his solo work has focused on writing and singing songs under the name “The man from Managra”.
Eliza Alexandropoulou is a graduate of the Drama Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a degree in Stage and Costume Design. Eliza was awarded the 1st UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Arts for her work as a set designer and also for her innovative lighting design in the performance “Relic” (by E. Laskaridis, presented at the Barbican Centre) at the Theatre and Technology Awards. She won the Gold Award for her lighting design in the performance “Elenit” (by E. Laskaridis) at the Greek Lighting Awards.
Georgios Kotsifakis is a graduate of the Professional Dance School of Rallou Manou in Athens and the Amsterdam School of Arts, where he studied Modern Theater Dance. As a dancer, he has worked with many companies and artists, including Jan Fabre, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (Eastman, Royal Ballet of Flanders), Dimitris Papaioannou, Andonis Foniadakis, Christos Papadopoulos (Leon & the Wolf). He has performed at several international festivals, including Julidans (Netherlands 2017), Aerowaves Spring Forward (Czech Republic 2016 & 2017), 16th Biennale de la Danse in Lyon (France 2014), Festival Internacional Cervantino (Mexico 2014), Belgrade Dance Festival (Serbia 2014).
Choreography: Christos Papadopoulos
Choreographic Assistent: Georgios Kotsifakis
Music: Coti K.
Lighting Design: Eliza Alexandropoulou
Costume Design: Angelos Mentis
Ballet master: Pierre Advokatoff, Amandine Roque De la Cruz
Ballet der Opéra de Lyon: Marie Albert, Jacqueline Bâby, Edi Blloshmi, Eleonora Campello, Noëllie Conjeaud, Katrien de Bakker, Abril Diaz, Jade Diouf, Alvaro Dule, Brendan Evans, Paul Grégoire, Jackson Haywood, Amanda Lana, Marco Merenda, Albert Nikolli, Leoannis Pupo-Guillen, Anna Romanova, Raul Serrano Nuñez, Giacomo Todeschi, Kaine Ward
Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of the Alliance of International Production Houses.
