ECOMOVEMENTS
performing costume design
The performers’ costumes & dancepersonas are inspired by a series of adaptive mechanisms and mutual relationships researched in the natural world. Looking at selected features which four species use as tools for survival can become a basis for building movement & connectedness to inspire for a more-than-human symbio-aware future, in face of adversities and extreme climate conditions.
SUN, SOIL and WATER. Three resources humans need to learn to better adapt to, in close-to-extinction scenarios affecting all species.
more-than-I.
A holobiont is a collection of closely associated species that have complex interactions.The human body is composed of a host and trillions of microorganisms whose collective functioning keeps the whole alive. Holobiont: a community of interbeing.
Costumes are pilots/ concept drafts for future larger inquiry on life-and-energy-responsible bodywear. Starting from each adaptive mechanism, possible actions of the costume could influence movement (suggestions are offered).
totem: noctiluca
(tropical marine plankton)
> adaptivity: bioluminescence (optical stimulation)
startles/ warns potential predators of toxicity (defense mechanism)
> actions / possible movement directions: turn on/turn off, defense, light in darkness
> signal color palette: translucent + lights
totem: coral
> adaptivity: symbiosis (coral x zooxanthellae)
- the mutual use of other in order to feed & survive
- algae live in the coral tissue (inside polyps)
> signal color palette: white*, blues & violets
> actions / possible movement directions: to support, feeding off each-other, mutuality in dualism / co-existence of entities, in-betweenness, reciprocity
*Reefs are threatened by a trend in ocean warming that has caused corals to expel algae and turn white, a process called coral bleaching
totem: salamander
> adaptivity: 1. autotomy (discarding a body part in face of danger eg. tail); 2. catalepsy
> actions / possible movement directions: spontaneity, unpredictability, catalepsy/ immobility, ever changing to environment stimuli
> signal color palette: reds, brownish earthy tones
totem: cacti
> adaptivities: 1. water retention; 2. deep rooting
stems that store water
spines (modified leaves)
deep root system to access & collect water from large areas
wax layer membrane- helps retain water
> actions/ possible movement directions: to draw in, to gather inside, to protect, reservoir, groundness
> signal color palette: yellows, golden, dusty tones
Dance: places one on the vibrating string of the symbiotic network that ties all beings together.
<ECOMOVEMENTS> uses dance and ecoperformance as means to spread and embody ecological awareness.
Credits:
Costume concept, design, photography: GCV
Costume assistant: Larisa Tofan
Performers:
Ioana Buraga
Alina Tofan
Wura Moraes
Alina Ușurelu
< ECOMOVEMENTS> is a dance project created by Plastic Art Performance collective and co-financed by AFCN
(Administration of National Cultural Fund)
