An exceptional workshop lead by New York vocalist Helga Davis and Germany based dancer and choreographer Jiří Bartovanec.
Work will be founded on searching for the connection between physical and vocal movement in creative improvisation, and on examining common physical and vocal structures.
Participants will focus on the relationship between movement and voice, where through simplicity they can achieve an infinite number of various existences in space and sound. We will create a whole scale of instruments that we will subsequently use to create new material within the framework of improvisation. It will be an exciting journey of transforming movement and sound into a kaleidoscope of their likeness.
Miřenka Čechová, programme director of the Czech Center in New York, adds:
“We are bringing together two exceptional artists, two different worlds, two creative approaches to art. Body and voice, the motional mastery of Jiří Bartovanec and the vocal mastery of the exceptionally charismatic Helga Davis.
I first heard Helga at Robert Wilsons´ in Watermill, where she stood facing him, holding his hands and singing a cappella. There were tears rolling down the faces of onlookers. It was so personal, so strong, so full of truth, and so exceptional that I went up to her and told her I would like to bring her to Prague. Little did I know that in under a year’s time I would actually be able to.
Jiří and I met when I was searching for dancers for my project Sniper’s Lake. I knew immediately that Jiří was the sort of person whom it will be a joy to work with. Immensely professional, with years of international experience in one of the most prestigious dance ensembles, someone who motivates and inspires others, a wonderful teacher and excellent choreographer.
He will meet Helga in New York where they will work together on a joint performance as Part of the Prague – New York Effects project. The first public performance of their production will take place at JACK, Brooklyn, they will then move on to Washington DC and finally Prague, for a Czech first night on the Boat of the Forman Brothers on the 29th June. Whilst in New York, Helga and Jiří will prepare a workshop that they will then lead for locals in the New York Czech Center. They will bring the same model, based on the same principles, to Prague. It will be spontaneous, intuitive, intimate, but above all inspirational. After all, both artists are the essence of that last description.”
