This project was offered a residency at the Bora Bora Residency Centre,
The Hooded Dresses -
enhances the expression of the performer, and these dress characters have evolved into creatures who in their faceless world does not give a ̈damn” about prejudices and what other people think about them.
They have become something life-affirming and highly energetic.
The dress becomes a world
The dresses have become a symbol of a culture and an imaginary society that does not exist. They have created their own fantasy world and fantasy culture.
The tentacle crown or the ritual diamondhut
¨They have become something life-affirming and
highly energetic.¨
The forgotten Stonehouse
There is a place on Mols in Denmark, called Poskær stonehouse, a prehistoric megalithic construction or dolmen if you like, because there is no exact documentation of what this place was actually used for, or what it was. When you stand there alone
in the summer, one can easily imagine rituals that probably have taken place there, with dancing, music and costumes.
Rituals that should open up and make a pathway to the supernatural spirit world.
With a top stone weighing 11.5 tons, and built around 3300 bc. this place oozes of something ancient and forgotten, noble and powerful.
And it's this fascination of digging up something tangible in both our history and in us as human beings, both literally but also
on a more spiritual level, that is the core inspiration.
And do we today possess this power that they likely did 5000 years ago? We are quick to conclude, no! We think that we as a modern human are wiser and just know more than the ancient peoples, but are we and do we? Do we not lack this power and strength that Poskær Stonehouse still radiates? Have we lost our primordial power, have we lost total connection with nature, our planet and ourselves? Deep-seated issues and questions that are more relevant than ever in times like these with little respect for nature, unhealthy materialism and now yes .. pandemics.
The costume design
The dresses were never meant to be completely identical, as they stand out more with minor but subtle differences. Nevertheless they are all sewn with a tailored empire waistline, that gives the dancer a slightly childish and genderless expression. And it quickly became the dancers own choice what age and gender their character was.
In view of all this, the dancers very quickly moved into a different world. Just the way they entered the stage and lined up in a simple row was strongly influenced by the dress costume. The dress had a tremendous influence on how they moved and how the character evolved. This character the performer found became their story or the story of the dress, which did not necessarily have anything in common with the stories of the other dress characters.
Original idea & concept by Anne Sofie Johannessen
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