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SUSCH
Christos Papadopoulos 'WATERLOO'
13 April - 19 April 2020
/ research residency
POSTPONED
Christos Papadopoulos’ work is informed by persistent preoccupations; rhythmic nuances of the body, collectiveness on stage not only as a way to think of movement within the realm of choreography but also as a tool to reflect broader natural phenomena. His choreographic ideas stem from a phenomenological perspective, placing the body at the heart of every research. Theatrical elements, such as set design and costumes are reduced to a minimum, leaving sound and lighting to suggest minor variations in the duration of a piece. His view frequently demands the persistence of our gaze, the reinterpretation of our way to perceive dance or even the “greater” image.
For his new piece that he will conduct research for in Susch and which will be premiered in spring 2021, Christos Papadopoulos consciously seeks to explore further our perceptual biases. His investigation begins with a simple question: Are our sensory perceptions trustworthy? — Meaning: When and to what extent is our perception veridical and not just a perceptual “waterloo”, which allows all kinds of unexpected things to arise?
And if “deception” is a value inherent in life as it is in performing arts, why do we often buttress our sensory judgments with biases and stereotypes that allow us only to perceive what seems like a limited version of the surrounding reality? If “failure” is a valid component in discovering the unknown or finding access to the unexpected, could we use this particularity to suggest a deviant look at a familiar dance vocabulary?
In addition to the research residency, Saturday 18.04/7 pm we will present Christos Papadopoulos’ acclaimed quartet OPUS The performance in the Muzeum Susch auditorium will be the first ever gallery version of the work.
Christos Papadopoulos is currently one of the most recognized and awarded contemporary European choreographers. He graduated from the School for New Dance Development (SNDO) of the Amsterdam School of the Arts, The Netherlands in 2003 and from the Dramatic School of the National Theatre of Greece in 1999. Christos is a founding member of the dance company Leon and the Wolf. His personal projects include: ION / Paris, 2017 / OPUS /Athens, 2016/ ELVEDON / Athens 201/ COUNTER RESET / Amsterdam 2003. As a performer Christos has participated in several dance projects by Dimitris Papaioannou, Alexandra Waierstall (Noema Dance Company), Kirstin Kuyl Anderson (WEGO dance company), Robert Stein, among others. He has also worked extensively as a choreographer and movement director for theatrical productions. Christos was a member of the choreography team responsible for the opening ceremony of the European Games in Baku 2015 and opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004. Since 2013 he collaborates with Odeion Athinon Theatre Academy as an instructor of choreography, composition and improvisation. He has also taught workshops on technique, composition and improvisation at many different festivals in Europe. His ELVEDON and OPUS have both been listed as top choices in the priority list of the Aerowaves network, which introduces the most interesting European dance performances each year. His new work, WATERLOO, is going to be co-produced by Onassis Foundation in Athens and several international partners and will premiere during the Dance Biennial at La Briqueterie Paris in spring 2021.