This is what the choreographer spyros Kouvaras emphasizes in his new work entitled “aurora”, which comes for five performances in Plyfa (14-18/12) and gropes for a new way of living with nature by looking for a new ecosystem in roots and water, which we share with all living organisms, and which makes man a small part of one ecosystem that makes us reflect on our relationship with nature
In his works, the choreographer Spyros Kouvaras likes to have a conversation with hutopia. He imagines the lives he wants to build and uses the Greek-French contemporary dance group “Synthesis 748 Dance Co.” as raw material to give the scene the texture of a rotating visual installation. And at the same time that you are attracted by the poetry of the movement, it asks uncomfortable and topical questions about life. This is what he dose with “Aurora” – the Dawn, his new play which he presents for five performances, from December 14 to 18 in Plyfa.
This is the third part of the choreographic series “Sacred bodies of a new ecotope” in which he presents a futuristic techno-physical world, feeling a symbiosis between people and nature. “The anthropocentric view of history has ended,” he tells us, leading us into this self-perpetuating milieu between reality and fantasy. The performers interact with movements that perhaps come from the past, primitive, tracing the tracks of their own “geology of life” to show us that man is a small and central part of nature.
Not only does the work draw inspiration from the life of plants in an artistic reflection on the climate crisis but drawing inspiration from the book, ”The Three Ecologies”, by the French philosopher Félix Guattari it truly seems to reconsider the symbiotic possibilities between nature and the culture in one place. ecological emergency age. By including social relations,human subjectivity and environmental concerns in the definition of ecology,Guattari attributes the ecological crises threatening our planet to the expansion of a new type of capitalism and proposes a new ecological approach that respects the differences between living systems all. Spyros Kouvaras transforms discourse through movement and the creation of choreographic metafictions, allowing the constant exchange of sensory stimuli between nature and man to pose thought-provoking questions about the cultural reality we have shaped and describe a new era that is rising.
we invited the creators of the show to talk to us about their vision behind the work, about the message through this artistic poetic statement.
• The choreographer, dancer Spyros Kouvaras he gives us context for the questions he wants to ask the performance:
“In this time of excessive violence and rage that we are going through, I wanted AURORA to imagine a world of sensitivity, a symbiotic wisdom of developed empathy. One ecosystem where humans are only a small part of it and not at the center. In my opinion, if we do not realize that the anthropocentric view of history has come to an end, then quite soon we would “come to an end” as a species. I would say that there is an urgent need to recreate human relationships with each other and our relationship with nature and the environment. So AURORA is a moving poem that will touch our remaining sensitive chords.It comes as a small community that promotes a symbiotic lifestyle. A community that endlessly hints at its arrival without touching it. Maybe they are the “people of the future” after all.
• The composer Commentary of thanasis he tells us about his own challenge, the confrontation of time, the past, the present and the future, and the transition of sound from the past to the active musical time of today:
“How does a traditional Bulgarian song combine with the musical programming and environment of the Aurora project? This is the main question/challenge for the synthetic part of the project. That is, to present a ¨new¨ honest world with the use of a musical program and its conversation, collaboration, confrontation with the feeling and ¨weight¨ that traditional song provides but also imposes. Their coexistence must convince the body (the dancers) and the audience (like a piece of music) of the ¨apology¨ for their simultaneous presence, in the world of ¨Dawn¨, Aurora, which they co-create. The constant consultation/conversation with Spyros Kouvaras shaped the times, the presence or absence of certain elements, the intensity or not suggested, so that the course of the musical discourse followed the direction required by the form of the work: the past, the present and the future of bodies with their respective musical times”.
• The performer Korina Kotsiris he tries to put into words what he is called to do on stage: “I present myself, in the play, apparently as a man who is very close to the man of today.The difference is that the parallel presence of anthropomorphic plants in the space as well as the space itself raises questions. But what is this presence after all? Is he a visitor from another planet or an exile, perhaps the only one left in this form? And what is its relationship to time? Is he himself from the future or is he an afterthought? Whatever form this takes on the stage and however the viewer receives and transfers the message, one thing is certain. I am told that moment after moment during the performance. and another aspect is also given. Something is always being born within us and outside of us. A new era is dawning…
• the dancers Katerina Gevetzi and Stella Dimitrakopoulou bring us in the context of their own challenges by inviting our senses to have a conversation with what they are trying to provide,as,according to Stella “maybe the starting point of ‘a new ecosystem exists,in the roots and in the water we share with all living organisms’.
Katerina Gevetzi: “In much of the work we investigate micro-movement, insisting on subtle differences in quality in order to ‘tune’ to the same field of vibration and atmosphere. I think of micromovement as the movement of organic molecules under a microscope. You can’t see it with the naked eye, but the way it is done plays a decisive role in the final visual result that reaches the viewer.”
Stella Dimitrakopoulos: “Aurora is a reminder that we are all part of the pulsating web of life, an invisible map of connections that touch the core of all that exists. The idea of ”plant person” activates feelings of compassion and deep awareness: like plants, which plant roots in stability to flourish, so we as dancers in this work are called to activate and work our inner power.The body will cease to be a vehicle of skill; it becomes a space that nurtures and reflects inner beauty, a hidden micro-vibration that connects the individual to the collective. Can we regain our place in nature, not as observers, but as an integral part of it? Perhaps the starting point for a new ecosystem is, in the roots and water we share with all living organisms.”
Info: PLYFA (39 Koritsas,Athens),December 14 - 18,Saturday | Monday | tuesday | Wednesday at 21:00 |
Tickets €12-15. Presale: more.com. The theater box office does not have a POS terminal
Aurora
Concept, Choreography, Stage Design: Spyros Kouvaras
Original Music: Thanasis koumentris
Dancers: Katerina Gevetzi, stella Dimitrakopoulou, Eleanna Zoi,
Sofia Puchtou, Elton Petri, Spyros Kouvaras
Musician(s): Korina Kotsiris
Lighting Design: Thomas Economakos
costumes: Kenneth Haarstring – Hoodie Lab
Assistant choreographers: Mina Ananiadou, angelos Papadopoulos
Visual Content: Giorgos Bakalis
Graphic Content: Danai Parouniadis
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Spyros Kouvaras! Thank you for joining us today to discuss your latest work, aurora. Your choreography reflects a deep connection between humans and nature. can you tell us what inspired you to explore this relationship in your performances?
Spyros Kouvaras: Thank you for having me! The inspiration behind Aurora stems from my concern about the current ecological crisis and the excessive violence and rage we see in our world. I wanted to imagine a future where sensitivity and empathy prevail—a symbiotic relationship between all living beings, where humans are merely a small part of a larger ecosystem.
Interviewer: That’s a powerful message.you mentioned wanting to shift away from an anthropocentric worldview. How do you convey that through movement and choreography?
Spyros Kouvaras: In Aurora, I use movement to provoke thought and encourage reflection on our place within the ecosystem. The dancers embody both primitive and contemporary movements, tracing their own “geology of life.” This interplay allows us to explore the connections we share with nature and other living organisms, highlighting that we are all part of a shared existence.
Interviewer: Your work is said to feature elements from the book The Three Ecologies by Félix Guattari. How does this philosophical framework influence your choreography?
Spyros Kouvaras: Guattari’s concepts resonate deeply with my vision. He expands the notion of ecology beyond environmental concerns to include social relations and human subjectivity. This integrated perspective encourages a reconsideration of our cultural reality, especially in light of the ecological emergency. Through dance, I aim to create a dialog that reflects these critical ideas, pushing us to confront uncomfortable truths about our current way of living.
Interviewer: Engaging.You describe Aurora as a “moving poem.” What experience do you hope the audience will take away from this performance?
Spyros Kouvaras: I want the audience to feel a sense of connection—not only to the performance but to nature itself. Aurora is about evoking our remaining sensitivity and prompting contemplation on how we can reconstruct our relationships with each other and the environment. It’s a reminder that we must learn to coexist harmoniously with the world around us.
Interviewer: You also work with a contemporary dance group, Synthesis 748 Dance Co. What role do they play in bringing Aurora to life?
Spyros Kouvaras: The dancers are integral to the work. They are not just performers; they are collaborators who embody the vision. Their movements create a living installation on stage that engages the audience’s senses. The choreography intertwines with the music, creating an immersive experience that reflects the complexity of our relationship with nature.
Interviewer: Speaking of music, composer Thanasis has a unique role in this project. Can you elaborate on how his contributions shape the overall experience?
Spyros Kouvaras: Thanasis’s musical approach is vital. He faces the challenge of blending traditional and contemporary sounds, using musical programming to create a unique auditory landscape. This interplay adds another layer of meaning to the performance, reinforcing the themes of coexistence and the tension between past and present. The goal is for the sound to resonate with both the dancers and the audience, creating a harmonious experience that speaks to the essence of Aurora.
Interviewer: With Aurora being the third part of your series “Sacred Bodies of a New Ecotope,” what can audiences expect next?
Spyros Kouvaras: Each installment builds upon the previous one, delving deeper into the connections between humans, nature, and culture. I envision future works exploring even more intricate interactions and maybe even more provocative questions. The journey is ongoing, and I hope the audience will join me in this exploration of our place in the world.
Interviewer: Thank you, Spyros. Your vision for aurora is inspiring,and I can’t wait to see how audiences respond to this new blend of art,beliefs,and ecological reflection. We wish you all the best for your performances in Plyfa!
Spyros Kouvaras: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my work, and I look forward to sharing this experience with everyone.