PERFORMANCE
Dimitris Papaioannou: Primal Matter
Saturday, December 8, 2012, 8 PM
EMPAC Studio 2
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
FREE - limited seating
As Greece experiences a severe economic and social crisis, and Europe and the United States undergo detrimental shrinking of national arts funding, Dimitris Papaioannou embarks on an artistic and personal challenge: a project using the least possible means—an experiment investigating personal and national identity.
Primal Matter is an optical illusion created by two isolated bodies on stage, which are used as the starting point in this exploratory journey of balancing our physical existence (body) with our second nature (soul), at a time when the issue of paramount concern is, ultimately, what is indispensable—what constitutes the essence.
Primal Matter is an optical illusion created by two isolated bodies on stage, which are used as the starting point in this exploratory journey of balancing our physical existence (body) with our second nature (soul), at a time when the issue of paramount concern is, ultimately, what is indispensable—what constitutes the essence.
Primal Matter was originally commissioned by the Athens Festival, Greece, and was further developed during an EMPAC artist-in-residence program.
Dimitris Papaioannou's groundbreaking creative direction of the Athens 2004 opening ceremony—hailed a "triumph" by Time Magazine and The Times of London—is widely considered a high-water mark of large-scale spectacle.
Born in Athens, Greece, in 1964, Papaioannou is co-founder of the award-winning Edafos Dance Theatre (1986–2002), where he conceived, directed, and choreographed all of the company's productions. In 2005, he was awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of Honour for outstanding artistic achievement by the president of the Hellenic Republic.
Papaioannou spent spring 2010 as a Fulbright scholar, mentored by Laurie Anderson at The Kitchen in New York City.
Born in Athens, Greece, in 1964, Papaioannou is co-founder of the award-winning Edafos Dance Theatre (1986–2002), where he conceived, directed, and choreographed all of the company's productions. In 2005, he was awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of Honour for outstanding artistic achievement by the president of the Hellenic Republic.
Papaioannou spent spring 2010 as a Fulbright scholar, mentored by Laurie Anderson at The Kitchen in New York City.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited - please plan accordingly.
Evelyn's Café will open at 7 PM with a full menu of meals, snacks, and beverages as well as a selection of wines. Service continues after the performance. Parking is available in the Rensselaer parking lot on College Avenue.
More information can be found on the EMPAC website: empac.rpi.edu. Questions? Call the EMPAC Box Office: 518.276.3921.
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The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY, 12180
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY, 12180
