KALOKAGATHIA

(2024)

Dates:


29.02.24
Dansens Hus, Oslo Norway

01.03.24
Dansens Hus, Oslo Norway

02.03.24
Dansens Hus, Oslo Norway

03.03.24
Dansens Hus, Oslo Norway


06.03.24
RAS, Sandnes Norway


20.04.24
Multiplié Dansefestival
Rosendal Teater, Trondheim
The Greek term kalokagathia describes the connection between moral greatness and the beautiful body – an idea that has accompanied us from antiquity to present day.

Inspired by this historical term, the dance performance Kalokagathia is a collection of embodied, glamorous tales about the demi-gods of our time. Danced fantasy driven images – tableau vivants – of the ideals that shaped and shape us in the way we present our bodies in society. The ambition is to comment on how we are followers of those who present themselves or are given the role as superior, eminent, influential and powerful. It sheds light on who has written the story of how we understand success and virtuosity, and how we give bodies value.

The dance project merges musical acts, song, story-telling and choreography as it narrates the meaning of the ideal through notions of imitation: How do we imitate and mirror the people we look up to, and why do we make these body-images a part of our own self? It questions the effect of how popular culture choreographs its followers by presenting bodies of success as emancipating and edifying, yet cruel, toxic and unattainable.

In the process, the group of performers creates movement while reminiscing personal memories of teenage idols. Jonas Øren uses this as choreographic matter and dissects it with the ambition to create new performative modes of success – deconstructing and challenging the well-known. The ambition is for the movement and linguistic patterns to become choreographic and musical reference points in various well-known choreographic scenarios

The group are entangled in a glamorous stage room that crosses scenography and costume driven by the desire to self-create. It is relevant to connect ideas related to body, gender and sexuality with the speculative, consumer oriented objectification and commercial strategies of today: Choreography as self-creation fueled by ideas about grandeur and glamour, and at the same time connected to resistance and the need to wear armour and camouflage.




Artistic team:

Artistic direction & concept, choreography:
Jonas Øren

Dance & lyrics:
Ulf Nilseng
Jessica Lauren Elizabeth Taylor
Ayesha Jordan
Helge Freiberg


Composer:
Mats Høstaker

Song and lyrics:
Maya Vik

Lighting design:
Yasin Gyltepe

Costume and scenography: Anne Karine Thorbjørnsen
Sound engineer:
Ragnhild Nelvik Bruseth

Outer eye:
Camara Lundestad Joof

Producer:
Ingeborg Husbyn Aarsand

Co-producers:

Dansens Hus
RAS
DansiT

Financial support:

The Arts Council:
NKF Fri Scenekunst Dans
NKF Komposisjon og produksjon av musikk

FFUK
Oslo Kommune

Support:

Bergen Dansesenter
Dansekunst i Østfold
Østfold Internasjonale Teater
Sprang Landsdelscene




                                 .                        

EP:






Composer: freij (Mats Høstaker)
Studio producer: Maya Vik / Oslo Records
Mix: Maya Vik, Øyvind Holboe Basmo, Funkin Matt
Written by: Jonas Øren, freij, Maya Vik, Ayesha Jordan, Jessica Lauren Elizabeth Taylor, Helge Freiberg, Ulf Nilseng


Jonas Pedersen Øren 2019 — Oslo