Pour (2016)
"...the expression of the performer alternates like a hologram between violence and vulnerability. The naked, almost motionless female body seems to be feeling its way towards pockets of pain locked deep inside, chiseling them out and sculpting them into somatic experience." Astrid Kaminski, Tanzraumberlin
Pour is a work that explores the vulnerability and strength of women, uncovering the layers of pain we absorb in our bodies through a society that does not support them. Like her previous works, Ashbee has created a dark work that confronts it’s audiences. Yet, for the first time, layers of joy and celebration pierce the tension that has been manifested throughout the performance.
Choreographically, Ashbee hopes to transform energy through performance and liberate her desires to occupy space with her body and even play amongst and against the frameworks she feels warped her self-image as an adolescent. She used her own menstrual cycle as the hub of her interest throughout the development of the work.
Her synthetic set design mimics natural landscape. Her use of repetition evokes transformation which hints towards many possibilities for a resolution, while maintaining an intense vulnerability between the performer and the audience.
This courageous performance traverses states of liberation, control, pain, beauty and catharsis in a live and intimate setting.
Calendar:
September 26 - 29th, 2016
La Chapelle : Scènes Contemporains
Montréal, Québec
May 19 - 21st, 2017
Rencontres Internationales Chorégraphiques Seine Saint-Denis, France
June 2 - 4th, 2017
Festival TransAmeriques, Montréal, QC
October 12 - 13th, 2017
Actoral - Marseille, France
November 9 -11th, 2017
Moving in November Festival - Helsinki, Finland
February 1 - 3rd, 2018
PUSH International Performing Arts Festival Vancouver, British Columbia
March 9 - 10th, 2018
Hiroshima - Barcelona, Spain
March 14th, 2018
Ellas Crean Festival - Madrid, Spain
July 16th 2018
Nultý Bod (Zero Point Festival) - Prague, République Tchèque
October 17 - 18th 2018
RIMI/IMIR - Stavanger, Norway
October 20 - 21st 2018
Oktoberdans - Bergen, Norway
February 22 - 24th 2019
The Sony Center - Toronto, Ontario
March 4 - 7th 2019
La Rotonde - Quebec City, QC
May 1, 2, 3 - 2019
Agora de la Danse
Montreal, QC
July 2nd 2019
Festival les 7 Collines
St. Étienne, France
September 18th 2019
Rotterdam Theatre
Rotterdam, Holland
September 25 - 26th 2019
IMPACT FESTIVAL
Kitchener, Ontario
October 23rd and 24th
Fluid Festival
Calgary, Alberta
July 1st 2020
Montpellier Danse Festival
Montpellier, France
(CANCELLED)
July 1&2 2021
Montpellier Danse Festival
Montpellier, France
Artistic Direction, Concept, Choreography and Scenography: Daina Ashbee
Interpreted by: Paige Culley (or Clara Furey)
Dancer during research and creation : Clara Furey and Paige Culley
Lighting Design: Hugo Dalphond
Original Sound Scape Design : Jean-Francois Blouin
Understudy: Émilie Morin
Outside Eyes: Andrew Tay et Angelique Wilkie
Length: 60 minutes
Supported by : Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, La Chapelle : Scènes Contemporains