It’s easy to believe understanding contemporary art assumes maturity, but this presumption is only another shield to hide behind. The truth is you simply need to be open to become a part of it and shouldn’t be afraid about interpreting it differently than anyone else. Pál Frenák, dance choreographer and leader of Compagnie Pál Frenák has set target to tear down the limits of rational thinking via his shows, and after 15 years, now he returns to Trafó with Tricks & Tracks, a show he became widely known for.
The key to Trick & Tracks success in 1999 was the novelty of combining classical and modern techniques with mimics, sign language and body movements that reflect on various egress (circus, theatre, fashion shows). As a son of severely hearing and speech impaired parents, sign language was a particularly important communication form for Pál Frenák, who’s delivered his skill for understanding subtle signals of the human body into the dance style of his company. The new, modern use of space, special lighting technology and unusual stage props, exploiting full expressiveness of the human body with sometimes total motionlessness as in Japanese butoh – Pál Frenák’s shows are frequently labeled as extreme, daring and divisive.
The company is proud of its Hungarian-French origin, and many young talents have joined their team of experienced dancers in the last 15 years. Heading back to Trafó – the place where it all started from – led them to the challenge to revamp the original performance and find where it’s arrived after so many years. SKIN – Tricks & Tracks 2. is a performance where past and present meets, it’s ironic, crual and provocative on purpose. The performers slip from one character to the next, undressing themselves and then slipping back in their created roles. Their bodies leave real traces while slamming into each other or sterile white surfaces, clashing and clinging, eagerly seeking each other’s presence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTwHEgU3cag
“Existence leaves dispassionate imprints – outside, inside, on itself, on the floor, on the walls. Are these random signs? Our ego is a tattoo on the skin, each of our lies are dresses, costumes, that doesn’t fit, but we wear them still. Honesty may lie somewhere under the skin. Naked is the new black.”
For those who are not afraid of naked truth, Tricks & Tracks 2. is a great opportunity to witness and become a part of an experience, that doesn’t end with the performance. Compagnie Pál Frenák takes the stage of Trafó House of Contemporary Arts between 20-22. March.
For further details, follow these links:
Compagnie Pál Frenák - http://www.frenak.hu/
Compagnie Pál Frenák: Tricks & Tracks 2.- PREMIER@ Trafó - http://trafo.hu/en-US/skin-premier
