András Déri in Elements attempts to interact with a dance suite choreography of the same title, by Éva E. Kovács, creating a bridge between the 1943 interpretation of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire) and his own relation to and experience of these elements today.
The solo is a result of multiple parallel avenues of research. The starting point of the piece is the original choreography, while the visualization of elements, the study of movement qualities based on somatic experiences, and a conceptual, analytical approach form the basis of the improvisational movement material. Avantgarde modern dance, urban dance interpreted in a contemporary manner, a dancer and an experimental musician interact with each other in a structure inspired by “sacred geometry”.
The production and its creative process came into being within the framework of the Movement 100+ residency program of the Orkesztika Foundation, at Mozdulatművészek Háza (House of Movement Artists), Budapest, in 2015. The program offered the possibility for a young artist to create a choreography inspired by and rethinking the Elements dance suite from 1943 by Éva E. Kovács, a prominent choreographer of the Hungarian art of movement.
The theme of four elements (earth, air, water, fire) opened an endless world for Déri, manifesting not only in the constant interaction and cycles headed from the beginning of time to the future, but also in the repeated re-definitions and experiences of the elements, while the inexhaustibility of reflections, observations, interpretations and associations related to them as well. He took an interest in continuity, interaction and tranformation. In conclusion he found, on one hand, that it is possible for him to use the analogy of the nature of elements to describe dynamics present in any aspect of life, and on the other hand, that through the fusion of the four elements, he defines humanity itself as the fifth.
The theme of four elements (earth, air, water, fire) opened an endless world for Déri, manifesting not only in the constant interaction and cycles headed from the beginning of time to the future, but also in the repeated re-definitions and experiences of the elements, while the inexhaustibility of reflections, observations, interpretations and associations related to them as well. He took an interest in continuity, interaction and tranformation. In conclusion he found, on one hand, that it is possible for him to use the analogy of the nature of elements to describe dynamics present in any aspect of life, and on the other hand, that through the fusion of the four elements, he defines humanity itself as the fifth.
Despite the fact of constant renewals we can reach similar conclusions as before, even if now after the stirring changes and developments of the past 70 years through a quite different dimension. The conclusion of Éva E.Kovács got into an intersection with András Déri’s and the experimental musician Dure Holiday’s (György Szatmári) interactive experience.
Choreography / dance: András Déri
Music / sound: György Szatmári
Mentor: Márk Fenyves
Lights: Márk Fenyves
Supported:
Nemzeti Kulturális Alap
Emberi Erőforrások Minisztériuma
Budapest Főváros IX. kerület Ferencváros Önkormányzata
Orkesztika
Alapítvány – MOHA-Mozdulatművészek Háza
Bakelit Multi Art Center