How does a body react when its movement is forced or it is halted? Which physical and cultural knowledge do people internalize in a country that is characterized by turmoil? With Displacement, Syrian dancer and choreographer Mithkal Alzghair examines the Syrian body in the context of war, migration and revolution.
Migrating from an isolated figure to a group of three male dancers, Displacement is defined by conflicting emotions; the hope of escaping versus the uneasiness of knowing that to return is impossible. As well as being a highly topical choreography about the civil war in Syria, this poignant piece is also Alzghair’s investigation into the folklore of his homeland and how it has been shaped by its political reality. Drawing from traditional Syrian folk dances, he highlights the paradox of a deeply-rooted culture forced to migrate. The dancer and choreographer, who was trained in Damascus and Montpellier, looks into the influence of social and political reality on traditional dances: do these reflect the military and dictatorial heritage of Syria? Do the experiences of war, misery and emigration have an effect on them? Displacement provides a striking reflection upon the experience of fleeing and the uncertainty of life in exile.
“This isn’t a documentary on the Syrian war. It touches on the fundamental question of what it is to be human.” —Mouvement
This performance was rewarded the First Prize at the Danse élargie 2016 contest, organized by the Théâtre de la Ville-Paris and the Musée de la danse-Rennes, in partnership with the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès.
The US tour of Displacement is generously supported by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York.
US Premiere at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH on January 11 + 12, 2018.
Choreography by Mithkal Alzghair
Interpretation by Rami Farah, Samil Taskin, Mithkal Alzghair
Dramaturgy by Thibaut Kaiser
Lighting design by Séverine Rième
Co-Producers
Godsbanen
Musée de la Danse-CCN de Rennes et de Bretagne
The foundation AFAC
Les Treize Arches-Scène conventionnée de Brive
Supporters
Centre national de la Danse
Studio Le Regard du Cygne
Théâtre Louis Aragon
Scène conventionnée danse de Tremblay-en-France
Dates
Sunday, January 14
Monday, January 15
Time
7:30pm
55 minutes in length
Admission
$10 suggested donation
Online reservation required.
Make a reservation.
Location
The Main Gallery
51 Bergen St.