Studies in Telekinesis

STUDIES IN TELEKINESIS: on Will, Power & Whatever is Between (2009)




Studies in Telekinesis: on Will, Power & Whatever is Between tries to pinpoint the moment when we transcend in the eyes of the other, from the state of mere corporeal existence to the stage of subjectivity ("flesh & blood"), as well as the space in which we regress back from that stage (to the level of "cannon fodder", for example). The strategies which formulate this performative experiment bring together a diverse set of tools. Ranging from poststructuralist philosophy to Beyonce, from child's play to graphic violence, these tools culminate into an abstract stage event, not strictly definable, constantly stretches the borders between Theater and Dance, charlatanry and professionalism, Sadism & Masochism.

Studies in Telekinesis was the first structured piece we made using the Secret Composition method, and it's score is built strictly on tasks and assignments, rather than on images, narratives or concepts. It was the result of a year long research period in which the materials were first initiated, followed by a rehearsal period of one week only, during which we put the images together and made the definitions of the tasks and improvisations clearer.

The piece premiered in Tmuna Theater, Tel Aviv, March 2009, with the support of the "Pais" (Israeli Lottery) foundation for culture and art.

"...That weird thing I saw is probably one of most fascinating, incredible and unpredictable pieces seen on an Israeli stage for years... A remarkable aesthetic experience... It places Ashbel at the top of the Israeli independent theater scene."
(Marat Parchomovsky, "Yediot Tel Aviv" Magazine, March 09)

Conceived and Directed by Ariel Efraim Ashbel
Dramaturgy: Yaelle Ben Ami, Tal Porat, Naama Schendar
Rehearsal Director: Tal Porat
Lights: Omer Sheizaf
Costumes: Inbal Lieblich
Featuring music by: Kate Bush, Beyonce, Serge Gainsbourg
By & with: Moran Abergel-Yithakey, Efrat Aviv, Yaelle Ben Ami, Liron Ben Shlush, Ariel Cohen, Avi Dangur, Maya Dunietz, Natalia Faust, Einat Ganz, Shani Granot, Dana Ivgy, Osnat Kelner, Assaf Korman, Leo Lerus, Yuval Meskin, Tal Porat, Naama Schendar, Naama Shoham, Rotem Tashach & Idan Yoav.




Here are some scenes I like:



And this is the full show (version performed in March 2009. The piece changes and every run was quite different):

Some pix:

And these are some of the beautiful flyers Alona Rodeh made for it: