CHRONOTOPIA (60 MNS) Multi media-Interactive

Though inspired by the Tamil epic `Chilappathikaram’, Attakkalari’s multi-media dance production does not directly re-interpret the original.Rather, it chooses to explore predominant themes from the text and in the process becomes an episodical journey, traversing layers of temporal and physical locations that often defy conventional notions of space and chronology. Establishing a link, between the landscape and the emotional as well as spiritual mindset of the protagonist, images from ordinary human existence encounter the intervention of inexplicable forces that change and catapult them out of orbit.

The performance by Attakkalari’s talented Repertory dancers, anchors on a central female character represented by three dancers. Chronotopia’s unique abstract movement vocabulary reflects and embodies the human circumstance, and in the process, time dissolves and dislocates, infusing the landscape with tenderness and loss.

Highly translucent traces of projected images (Christian Ziegler) , complemented by an abstracted light installation ( Chris Salter and Marje ), create an interactive context for the evocative performance, highlighted by Thomas Dotzler’s restrained light design.

Intricate choreography by Jayachandran Palazhy (along with the dancers) is set to an original, vibrant and melodic score by French composer Mathias Duplessy, (created in collaboration with Carnatic musicians from Bangalore).

Emotional, haunting and introspective, CHRONOTOPIA is an ode to the senses, a magical tour de force through the voyage of life.

Credits :

Artistic Direction : Jayachandran Palazhy
Choreography : Jaychandran Palazhy, along with the dancers.
Interactive Scenography: Chris Salter / Chris Ziegler
Interaction research/design (light): Marije Baalman / Chris Salter
Interaction design (video) : Chris Ziegler
Lighting Design : Thomas Dotzler

Music production, vocals & composition : Mathias Duplessy
Lighting programming: Marije Baalman
Lighting system design: Elio Bidinost / Harry Smoak
Sensing research/development : Joseph Malloch / Marije Baalman / Rodolfe Koholy
Costume Design: Jason Cherian & Anshu Arora
Male vocals ( Carnatic) : Balasubramniam Sharma
Female vocals ( Carnatic) : Neela Ramanujam
Mridangam : B.C Manjunath
Nadaswaram : M. Kodandaram

Key Collaborators

Jayachandran Palazhy

Jayachandran is Artistic Director, Attakkalari, and has trained in India in the dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Indian folk dance and Kalarippayattu martial art, and in Contemporary Dance at the London Contemporary Dance School. He has also studied Ballet, Tai Chi, Capoeira and African Dance. He has been working extensively as a freelance choreographer, teacher and consultant in different parts of the world and is in the forefront of the contemporary South Asian dance scene. His work often involves digital and interactive technology and he has collaborated with some of the most celebrated artists of this genre. He is also Director of the Attakkalari India Biennial (International Festival of Dance and Digital Arts).

Christopher Salter

Christopher Salter received his Ph.D in the areas of theater and computer-generated sound at Stanford University. His work investigates the role of real time sound, image and technologies of interaction within the context of responsive environments and performance. He was awarded the Fulbright and Alexander von Humboldt Chancellor grants for research/work in Germany between 1993 -1995. Salter’s work has been shown internationally at venues such as Ars Electronica, Transmediale, Villette Numerique, V2, DTW/New York and SIGGRAPH, among others and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, ID and Leonardo magazines. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Design and Computation Arts at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Chris Ziegler

Chris Ziegler is Digital Artist with a Diploma in Architecture, 3 years acting background. The focus of his work lies in non linear visual media and interactive environments for performance. He received an Award “Young Art and New Media” in Munich with his first production “Scanned V” 2001 with Jayachandran Palazhy, followed by “Transavatar” production (2002) and “NAGARIKA” DVD-ROM (2006) . Since 1994 he works for Ballett Frankfurt and other companies on multimedia productions. He performed at transmediale Berlin, DANCE Festival Munich, VIA/EXIT France and other Festivals. He was lecturer and teacher at D.A.N.C.E (Dance Apprentices Network across Europe). At present he is “Associale Artist” at the Center for Art and Media, ZKM Karlsruhe

Thomas Dotzler

Thomas Dotzler is an experienced and versatile light designer. He has been associated with Attakkalari for three years and has worked on most of our important productions including PURUSHARTHA. His first visit was in 2005, when he worked with Kenneth Flak on “Uber”. This production was created during a three month workshop along with dancers from Attakkalari. He has also conducted workshops for Attakkalari’s Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media as well as Facets, Attakkalari’s international choreographic laboratory.

Mathias Duplessy

Mathias Duplessy is a composer, guitarist, works on acoustic arrangements, is also a producer, vocalist and plays multiple instruments including the Mongolian stringed instrument the morin khuur. His range includes composing for long and short films, documentaries, theatre, dance and musicals. His unique energetic style is a combination of Flamenco, Classical, Asian and Gyspy Jazz. His musical travels include journeying through Senegal with Hamet Male, Brazil with Monica Passos, Portugal with Bevinda and Russia with Alexandre Loushik

Marije Baalman

Marije Baalman studied Applied Physics at the Technical University in Delft and graduated in February 2002 in Perceptual Acoustics. In 2001/2002 she followed the Sonology Course at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. She completed her Ph.D. on Wave Field Synthesis and electro-acoustic music in 2007 at the Electronic Studio of the Technical University of Berlin. Currently she is a post-doctoral researcher in Computation Arts at Concordia University in Montreal. Her research goes into the use of wireless networks for live performance (such as dance and music), and installations. She has performed and exhibited work across Europe (STEIM, WORM (NL), EXIT festival (F), Club Transmediale (D)) and beyond (Electrofringe (AU)). She is a contributor to "The SuperCollider Book" (MIT Press, Fall 2009).

Performed by

RAKESH : He has trained in Contemporary Dance, Bharathanatyam, Kalarippayattu, Capoeira, Yoga, Body Conditioning and Contact Improvisation and has also conducted several workshops. He is a senior member of the Attakkalari Repertory Company and is an active facilitator for the Community Class – Contemporary Dance.

HEMA BHARATHI : She has trained in Kuchipudi for thirteen years under Guru Vaijayanthi Kashi & Smt Suranda Devi. She is also trained in Contemporary Dance, Kalarippayattu, Contact Improvisation, Bharathanatyam, Ballet, Yoga, and Capoeira. She is a choreographer and a senior member of the Attakkalari Repertory.

JYOTSNA : She is experienced in several movement forms like Cinematic dance, Jazz, Choreography and Folk Dance. She also actively pursues her interests in Psychology, Theatre and Tabla. She is actively involved in our Education Outreach Programme, and is a member of the Attakkalari Repertory Company.

DIYA : She started her formal dance training at the age of eighteen with The Danceworx, New Delhi. She has studied ISTD Jazz Ballet, Modern Performance or Choreography Techniques, Kathak and Physical Theatre and has worked on Fusion based Choreographies. She is a facilitator for the Community Class-Contemporary Dance and is a member of the Attakkalari Repertory Company.

TOUR DETAILS

INDIA TOUR : DANCERS : 5 / MGR : 1 /TECH : 3 ( 9 people )

INTERNATIONAL TOURS : DANCERS : 5 /MGR : 1 /TECH : 4 ( 10 people )

STAGE SIZE :

TECHNICAL RIDER : Available on request

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION : Available on request : ( Performance CD /Press / Performance desc /Budget / Working arrangement / Performance photographs /Attakkalari info.

Chronotopia is supported by India Foundation for the Arts.

We also thank the French Embassy in India, the Delegation des Generales des Alliances Francaises en Inde and The Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada for their support.