In Re-Mapping the Body , a performance by Swiss contemporary dance group, Compagnie Linga, the viewer will, for the first time, see music and hear dance. Choreographers Marco Cantalupo and Katarzyna Gdaniec have brought technology and dance together in a most ingenious way. The performance will have a group of six dancers wear an instrument, which transforms their movements into sound. “There is a combination of different sounds, from acoustic to electronic. Every movement has a different sound and music is created only when the body moves,” says Marco.
The inspiration was drawn from sports instruments that measure physiological parameters of the effort of the human body to enhance its performance.“It took us four months to choreograph this piece. We worked in collaboration with the Sports Science Institute at the University of Lausanne, the Geneva University of Music, Future Instruments and Biopac Sytem inc., to create this venture,” says Marco . The sound system in the technology was developed in association with Swiss composer Christophe Calpini.“We had to imagine what it would sound like. We had to hear the movements and see the sounds.” The performance, says Marco, brings to light the fact that technology has permeated every aspect of our lives. “Through the performance, we want to depict that even though this is a reality, human beings must not allow technology to take over their lives. That human-to-human interaction is very important. The communication between the audience and the performers are very important.” The six dancers come from all over the world, informs Marco. They include David Gernez, Michael Theopanous, Hyun Woo Nam, Ai Koyama, Dorota Lecka and Hyekyoung Kim. Marco was born in Italy, and studied at the Scala in Milan ballet school and the Hamburg Opera ballet school. He has choreographed many well-known performances in Italy and in 1992 founded Compagnie Linga, with Katarzyna, who is an award-winning artistic gymnast. “We started our own company to experiment with new dance forms and evolve a new language in dance.”
Re-mapping the Body is being presented by Swissnex India and supported by Attakalari Centre for Movement Arts, will be performed on February 26 and February 27 at Ranga Shankara at 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at Rs. 200 and are available on bookmyshow.com.
