Khôra
World premiere:
26/10/2023
Korzo Theater
The Netherlands
Since Plato, the term Khôra (Ancient Greek: “place, area, land, space”) has been an ephemeral one, thinkers from Aristotle to Derrida to Heidegger to Kristeva not so much nailing down a proper definition than circling it like an inscrutable object. With her group piece, Belgian choreographer Astrid Boons dares to enter this place that, at the same time, is a non-place: both a reflection of our increasingly technologised world, pushing bodies to the margin, and a rejoinder, a possible refuge. Five dancers, with nothing but their bodies and each other, keep resituating themselves in an eerily smooth wasteland, posing the equally simple as impossible question: “How do we reclaim our humanity?”
"Boons leads her audience deep into an artistic mixture of meanings. In the midst of the currently rampant over-clarity in contemporary dance, Khôra thus becomes an invitation to once again venture into the ambiguity. " Der Standard
“Khôra is true, wise, masterfully crafted and looks deep into our souls." Online Merker
Choreography and concept: Astrid Boons
Performers: Karolina Szymura, Spencer Dickhaus, Amy Josh, Matilde Tommasini, Lukas Karvelis
Composition: Miguelángel Clerc Parada
Set and light design: Zaza Dupont
Costume design: Bregje van Balen
Dramaturgy: Eva Martinez
Duration: 1h
Produced by Korzo Theater NL
Co-produced by The Hessisches Staatsballett in the frame of the Tanzplattform Rhein Main DE
With the support of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen BE and The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet NO
Made possible by Performing Arts Fund NL in the frame of the Fast Forward program, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Municipality of The Hague