PONI
Poni is a collective, initiated by Frank Pay and currently has its headquarters in Brussels. The collective consists of dancers, visual artists, musicians and writers.
PONI takes on the various codes, symbols and methods of different artistic discplines and thus creates performances that examine the outer limits of the stage and related art forms, as well as the possible shifts within these disciplines. PONI operates at the molecular level, like a fungus speckling the skeleton of art or like a transformer with embryonic vivacity. The cast is international and most participants are professionally active within companies or projects that perform worldwide. PONI has a unique methodology when approaching new projects and regularly appeals to guest artists of divergent natures.
Projects
Soma Sema (October 2006) Poni turns its guns on theatre. The key words in this performance are Ritual, Illusion and Death. How does one dismantle the rituals and obsessions of theatre? And what remains of classical themes, codes and tricks? What is the point of those curtains? What if the theatre itself does a striptease? And what illusions do we cling to, no matter what the price?
Themes: Death illusion and ritual
This triptych was absorbed, chewed and worked on by all members of the collective. This way, sub themes are created like circus, fairytales, memories/memory, religion, tennis, photography.
In short, Poni is engaged in a duel with theatre in a hybrid work that combines performance art, live rock music, dance and theatre.
Performers and makers : Charles Blondeel (B), Rodolphe Coster (B), Lieven Dousselaere (B), Gudni Gunnarson (ISL), Sylvi Kretzschmar (D), Marc Lallemand (B), Kate McIntosh (NZ), Erna Omarsdottir (ISL), Frank Pay (B), Julie Andrée T. (CAN), Jesse van Bauwel (B).
Research/artistic advisor: Claude Blondeel (B)
Music: The PONI collective.
Light: Marc Lhommel (B)
Sound: Xavier Van Wersch (NL)
Costumes: Ran Shabang (ISR)
Production: In Utero vzw
Executive Production: Margarita Production vzw.
Coproduction: Kaaitheater (B), Sophiensaele (D), Centre Georges Pompidou (F), La Villette (F), Buda-Kortrijk (B)
In association with: Recyclart (B), Monty (B), WP Zimmer (B), Les Halles de Schaerbeek (B)
With te support of: Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie
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The Bacterial Tour, a hyperactive performance with a powerful live soundtrack. Project 1 is a performance in which identity, rituals and language are of central importance. Its theme is 'the deconstruction of a punk/rock band'.
CREDITS
Performers: Rodolphe Coster, Lieven Dousselaere, Gudni Gunnarsson, Sinusjog, Marc Lallemand, Kate McIntosh, Erna Omarsdottir, Frank Pay, Eric Tatepokembo
Video: Jesse van Bouwel
Light: Marco Lhommel
Sound: Xavier van Werch
Assistant Scenographer: Kwinten Lavigne
Grafic: PUNCT.
Production: In Utero VZW, Margarita Production
Coproduction: Kaaitheater (Bruxelles), Monty (Antwerpen), Halles de Schaerbeek (Bruxelles), Ballet Preljocaj
With the support of: Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Vlaamse Gemmenschapscommissie