SQUEEZE - Tyra Wigg
SQUEEZE moves healing and aesthetic dimensions of massage therapy out from clinics and spas into a social choreography within the performance space. Driven by haptic desire and anatomical curiosity, five performers knead, press, shake, and stretch each other's body tissues. Their strive to be both giver and receiver at the same time draws them into sculptural constellations infused with pleasure-pain and tension-release.
The caring gestures and a large amount of recycled sleeping bags transform the stage into a soft terrain to rest, observe, and treat within. The textile is also given new meaning as extended body tissues in need of squeezes and joint manipulations. Borders between human and inanimate matter are further blurred when the performers’ hands treat the negative space, inviting imaginations of phantom bodies and invisible but highly sensitive connections.
DJ Graue Kreide weaves together electronic club tracks with field recordings from natural landscapes that inspire deep breathing. Together, the sound, costume, scenography, and choreography suggest that massage can be practiced favorably in many places, for example, on a hike or on the dance floor.
Audience members who express explicit consent might receive gentle touches on shoulders, arms, or legs during the performance. Everyone is invited to stay for a post-performance care session where they can relax to ambient music and practice massage therapy with each other and/or the performers.
CREDITS
Concept, choreography: Tyra Wigg
Development, performance: Simon Fleury, Tejus Menon, Natascha Moschini, Yixuan Xiao, Tyra Wigg/Marie Popall
Sound design, live DJ: Nya Buerki aka Graue Kreide
Costume, scenography: Ernestyna Orlowska, Carolina Misztela, Tyra Wigg
Dramaturgical support: Johanna Hilari, Sonja Jokiniemi
Porduction creation: produktionsDOCK
Production touring: Caroline Froelich, Moin Moin Productions
Co-production: ROXY Birsfelden, MDT Stockholm
Supported by: Fachausschuss Tanz & Theater BS/BL, PREMIO award for emerging artists in performing arts
INFOS
Duration: 60 min & 30 min after the performance for the voluntary “post-performance” part.
Language: English
Premiere: November 9 2023, ROXY Birsfelden / venue: Kunsthaus Baselland, Switzerland
DATES
December 2 - 3 2023 Les Urbaines, Lausanne, Switzerland
Novmeber 18 & 19 2023 depARTures / ACCESS TO DANCE, Joint Adventures, Münich, Germany
November 9 - 12 2023 ROXY Birsfelden / venue: Kunsthaus Baselland, Switzerland
August 17 & 18 2024 far° festival Nyon, Switzerland
November 8 & 9 2024 MDT Stockholm, Sweden