The meaning of the German word wallen, links the swelling movement caused by undulating water to emotional impulses that overcome, like pouring tears or quivering bodies. In this work, the movements of emotional manifestations are separated from their emotional source and translated into abstract physical intensities. How does our experience of these emotions and their movement’s change as they become more abstract? How can we challenge the seemingly indestructible bond between cultural manifestation of emotions, such as sobbing, and the phenomenological emotional substance they contain? The choreography unfolds through shifting intensities in the body, space, and sound. Seated throughout the space in swivel chairs, the audience has the ability to direct their own experience of these intermingling physical intensities. Jassem Hindi creates an electronic-acoustic installation, which establishes a distinct musical body. Hindi’s sound supports, expands, and diminishes the space produced by the dancers. A transfer from body to body arises and traces of these various intensities remain.
Sebastian Matthias continues his work with Jassem Hindi, the dancers Lisanne Goodhue and Isaac Spencer and the costume designer Nina Irina Witkiewic, Katarina Kleinschmidt and Marcus Dross (dramaturgy). This team, which was invited to the Tanzplattform Germany 2012, is now supported by the dancers Jan Burkhardt and Deborah Hofstetter.
A production by Sebastian Matthias, Kampnagel and Sophiensaele. In co-production with Dampfzentrale Bern. Supported by Kulturbehörde Hamburg, den Regierenden Bürgermeister von Berlin – Senatkanzlei – Kulturelle Angelegenheiten and Rudolf Augstein Stiftung.