The TREE (Fragments of poetics on fire)
9 dancers – Creation 2021
Last & ultimate great creation of the choreographer for her company, The Tree is a poetic reflection on humanity and nature, on the edge of sinking… After eau, Pneuma and Now, it completes the cycle of pieces inspired by French philosopher Gaston Bachelard.
Based on Fragments of a Poetics of Fire, Carolyn Carlson chose the poetic
and symbolic power of flames and more widely the complexity of the natural elements as inspirations for her new creation. She works with light designer Rémi Nicolas once again, who creates imaginary landscapes inviting to an inner journey and contemplation. Visual artist Gao Xingjian also sublimates the scenography with his abstract paintings in Chinese ink projected at the back of the stage in several sequences.
Combined with the dancers’ virtuosity and the dreamlike vision of Carolyn Carlson, The Tree is a powerful and vital expression of love to a nature on the edge of collapsing, with the hope of a rebirth from its own ashes like a phoenix..
« We are not outside the Universe; we are seeds in cycles and rhythms as the changing seasons alongside all creation. » Carolyn Carlson
Choreography & scenography | Carolyn Carlson
Choreographic assistant | Colette Malye
Performers | Alexis Ochin, Chinatsu Kosakatani, Juha Marsalo, Céline Maufroid, Riccardo Meneghini, Isida Micani, Yutaka Nakata, Sara Orselli, Sara Simeoni
Musics | Aleksi Aubry-Carlson, René Aurby, Maarja Nuut, K. Friedrich Abel
Light design | Rémi Nicolas, assisted by Guillaume Bonneau
Projected artworks | Gao Xingjian
Props | Gilles Nicolas & Jank Dage
Costumes | Elise Dulac & Atelier du Théâtre National de Chaillot. Thanks to Chrystel Zingiro
Production | Carolyn Carlson Company
Coproductions | Théâtre National de Chaillot, Théâtre Toursky Marseille, Ballet du Nord / Centre Chorégraphique National Roubaix Hauts-de-France, Equilibre Nuithonie Fribourg
Residencies at CDCN-Atelier de Paris, salle Allende (Mons-en-Baroeul) and Kiosk (Marquette-lez-Lille)
With the support of Crédit du Nord
Thanks to Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, Studio 28 Roubaix-Compagnie Zahrbat, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Michelle Kokosowski and Martine Dionisio
Length | 70 minutes