In the period from 2022 to 2025, we are planning a new trilogy entitled Allegories (2022– 2025) consisting of three dance projects and a synthesis performance. The subject of the three-part project is allegories – the prism of time in the framework of iconographic paths, woven by poetry, literature and fine arts.
The programme of the Muzeum Institute is conceived as a series of platforms, trilogies, which overlap and supplement its contents over the period of several years: the Dynamics of Space in Art trilogy, 2016–2019, was focused on the phenomena of space dynamics as a changing surroundings in which the body resides; the Sleep trilogy, 2019–2021, stemmed from the abundant iconography of depictions from sleep in relation between vigilance and dreams.
The first unit of the trilogy, dance performance Allegories of Months – Attributes, 2022, is based on the motif of monthly cycles with attributes that encompass the life of nature (flora) in the context of the tension between tasks and sensory and emotional impulses to which life gives rise.
ALLEGORIES – FRAGMENTS
Repetition: 9. 12. / 20.00 / Katedrala
Emphasising the specific depictions of the twelve months, Allegories – Fragments is a performance focusing on the physicality and visuality of dance language. Already in Antiquity, a triptych of the months was well established in literature: as a natural, work rhythm, as a rhythm determined by deified, astral forces, and as a rhythm of gods on Earth, worshipped by man (Ovid, Verij Flak …).
This triptych will be explored in the genre embodiments from historical cycles in literary and visual arts paradigms from Antiquity to the Renaissance. The project will partly allude to the liturgy of feasts and the theme of the radiance of the images of the months and natural personifications, marked by celebrations and rituals. The fragmentary nature of the performance is shown by stringing together images, deities and attributes. The scenes are broken into sections based on the seasons. Driving the narrative, they turn time, as it revolves through the sequence of the months and years: harvesting, foraging, autumnal sowing and moments alongside the rotating mill interchange with motifs of hunting and resting. From domestic genre scenes, spaces of vitae contemplative emerge, connecting closely to December – the month of sharp contrasts and images – predominantly devoid of work-related motifs.
Directing, movement and visual image: Barbara Novakovič
Sound design: Jure Vlahović
Ligting design: Andrej Petrovčič
Consultant: Suzana Koncut
Dancers: Enya Belak, Matevž Dobaj, Beno Novak / Luka Ostrež, k.g., Kristýna Šajtošová (Peldová)
Translation into English: Jana Renée Wilcoxen
Photography: Andrej Lamut, Urška Boljkovac (Kino Šiška)
Design: Enya Belak
Scenic elements made by Marko Udvanc
Video documentation: Y0Y Production, Manja and Avguštin Solce
Production: Muzeum Ljubljana
Co-production: Kino Šiška
In collaboration with Moja Kreacija Institute, Maribor.
Financially supported by the Department of Culture of Municipality of Ljubljana.
Barbara NOVAKOVIČ (1963, Celje) is a stage director, producer and curator, and the Muzeum Institute Ljubljana founder and director. She studied Art History and Sociology of Culture at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, and enrolled at the Ljubljana Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television where she graduated in Stage Acting in 1993. In the same year she founded the Muzeum Theatre, and decided to work as a free-lance author and producer. She conceived and directed a number of stage performances, and also curated a few innovative international exhibitions. She was a producer of a number of first stage projects by authors stemming from other fields of creation (architecture, visual arts, dance, film, theory). In her projects she occasionally appears also as a stage set designer.
Enya BELAK is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and choreographer whose work encompasses various artistic practices and disciplines that interconnect. She places the body at the forefront as the main “object” for exploration, reflecting her background in contemporary dance and choreography. After completing her master’s degree in film direction at Goldsmiths, University of London, Enya created and participated in numerous projects. She has been developing Ringside for innovative recording of dance performance in virtual reality. Her directing work includes the currently-showing hour-long documentary ‘Aerowaves at 25’. As a choreographer, Enya presented S P A C E between (a performance with a photography and video exhibition), the live dance duet ‘BLUFF’; and the multi-genre project ‘Blue Ink’, which encompasses dance, VR 360° film, and hybrid performance. Enya directed many music videos for various artists and as a co-creator of the video content she also works with the renowned European network for contemporary dance Aerowaves. Enya has been recognised and awarded for her accomplishments. A few honours to name include the Ksenija Hribar Award for the promising dancer, a nomination for the Under25 Award for directing her master’s film Luminary at the BAFTA-recognised Underwire Film Festival and the Golden Insignia of Meta Vidmar, an award by the Cultural Association of Slovenia for exceptional achievements and dedication to contemporary dance.
Matevž DOBAJ After finishing the studies at Medical university Maribor, Slovenia, Matevž continued his formal education at Salzburg, Austria experimental academy of dance – SEAD (2010). Already in this time he knew dance, art and medicine will always be strongly intertwined. His education offered him a special insight into body, science and society. Now he directs his focus on questions of interpretation, body states and works with somatic approaches. Matevž was active in Slovenian dance scene and after moved to Brussels in 2014 where he performed with several artist in different venues in Belgium and abroad. He collaborated or performed in works of Francesco Scavetta, Les Gens d’Uterpan, Bud Blumenthal, Dieter Defurne, Maayan Danoch, Snježana Premuš …
Beno NOVAK (1991, Kranj) graduated from Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in 2016 and was later invited to upgrade his knowledge at the Tisch Dance Department (New York University) and at The Place Dance Academy (London). He has danced for many different companies and with many renowned artists. In London, he has danced for the Gary Clarke Company, Jason Mabana Dance, and James Wilton Dance company. He has danced for choreographers like Matej Kejžar, Alix Eynaudi, Paul Blackman & Christine Gouzelis, Ricardo Ambrozio, Zsuzsa Rozsavolgyi, Etienne Guilloteau and others. Much of his work is done in collaboration with other artists such as the duet 400 Rabbits with Marina Abib, the solo Owe by Junior Mufutau Jussuf, ::Narava::Dialog:: with Dragana Alfirovič, Body Concert with Ana Romih, and others. In collaboration with a saxohnist Boštjan Simon and a percussionist Elvis Homan they created a hybrid improvisational concert / dance performance Vstajenje 2.0 for which they received the International Jury Award at the 12th Biennial of Slovenian Contemporary Dance Art “Gibanica 2023”. He is the artistic and executive director of the Summer Intensive Festival in Portugal as well as the Kalejdoskop festival in Slovenia. One of his main commitments is the sharing/teaching and the development of his »Zero Space« method. Beno’s work is a constant exploration of personal experiences, expressed through strong physicality mixed with sensitivity, fragility, energy and exhaustion.
www.zenderzone13.wixsite.com/benonovak
Kristýna PELDOVÁ (1994, Karlovy Vary) is a dancer, performer, choreographer and pedagogue. After her studies at the Duncan Centre Conservatory in Prague, she completed her bachelor’s study at the Roal Conservatory of Antwerp. Since the year 2017 Peldová is a part of various international dance platforms and projects: Spitfire Company (CZ), creations Constellations I. Before I say yes and Constellations II. Time for sharing. From the same year she is also active in Slovenia and has co-created and performed in many projects such as: Chorus, directed by Žigan Krajnčan, Gašper Kunšek and Jan Krmejl, Cradle, Three sisters and I have a dreamdirected by Gregor Luštek, Just for today, directed by Maja Delak, Ljubi me nežno, directed by Kristýna Peldová, Tsarina Marinkova Krajnčan, Žigan Krajnčan and Kristijan Krajnčan. Sounds under the skin, directed by Urška Centa, Sara Janaškovic, Anja Möderndorferand Kristýna Peldová, Fusion reactor, directed by Žigan Krajnčan, Honey sparks in the dark, directed by Kristijan Krajnčan andchoreographed by Žigan Krajnčan. In the year 2020 Urška Centa, Sara Janaškovic, Anja Möderndorfer and Kristýna Peldová founded an institute, a platform NEST as an intersection between artists of many poetics and common starting points.
