Recoil, Resilience, Oscillation
Fractal Repetition
Traditional Beninese Polyrhythms
Introduction to Geomancy – The Fa
Group/Solo Awareness
Performativity
This project will focus on the structure and phasing of ritual as a performative act, where space, objects, repetition, rhythm, gesture, the body and the voice become instruments of evocation, portals for connection and access to collective memory. These processes keep shifting from the individual to the collective and vice versa. Although structured, they serve as guided contexts for spontaneity.
The inquiry revolves around these fundamental questions: How do ancient values and practices adapt to and manifest in contemporary society? Is it possible that ancient and current performative practices could enrich each other? How can we, as artists, look at ritual and re-elaborate the wisdom that passes through the body in such a vivid way?
In this special, three person "Co-Teaching", Francesca, Frey and Eric will share a selection of results of their research through several years of exchange.
We also intend to share embodied examples of some of the underlying fundamental principles in traditional dances, look with attention at the complexity of interrelated and subtle biomechanics and explore a few ways these principles can be translated and applied to more contemporary movement concepts.
In an effort to provide cultural background and insight, Eric Acakpo will share excerpt and mechanics of the Yoruban oracular system, the FA; a rich repository of archetypal symbology and philosophical inquest, as well as a math/memory aide and thought of as the origin of modern binary computer operating systems.
Our common resource; The Axis Syllabus, will provide a framework for organising impulse and insight as well as deep analysis instruments for re-elaboration and biomechanical rendering.
Dance-artist Francesca Pedullà, Musician Eric Acakpo and Axis Syllabus Consolidator Frey Faust
Francesca and Eric have worked together since more than 10 years, teaching, creating contexts for cultural and artistic exchange and performing in Benin and abroad. They founded the Beninese Cultural Association Sonagnon in 2006 with the aim to protect and share the richness of Beninese culture and provide an exchange platform for artists from all over the world. From 2008 to 2012 they co-directed the international project Dialogues Inévitables realised in collaboration with various cultural association and with the support of several international institutions. Since 2012 they co-direct TRACES, an annual professional educational platform for dance and choreographic practice based in Cotonou and Ouidah with the collaboration of the Axis Syllabus International Research Network. Frey Faust has been a collaborating teacher of Traces since 2013. He has contributed to the in-depth biomechanical analysis of Beninese traditional dances.
