A Performance Between Movement and Words
Workout Manual delves into the roots of Israeli physical culture, tracing Hebrew physical education pioneered by Zvi Nishri at the Herzliya Gymnasium in Tel Aviv. Based on archival research, the performance applies gymnastics to a contemporary choreographic context. Accompanied by Nishri’s original notes, the work offers an ironic reflection on physical versus verbal language and the gap between past and present. The piece explores the friction between childhood and adulthood, alongside the tension between the individual and the existing social order, revealing the cultural baggage carried by the Israeli body.
From the Reviews:
An intelligent performance embedded with a good deal of humor (Dr. Smadar Sheffi)
A fascinating dance work offering an intriguing perspective on Israeli society (Aviva Rosen)
A multifaceted performance combining history, art, and politics (Nira Perry)
Choreographer and dancer.
Her work joins dance with various mediums as theater, performance and visual art, characterized by intimate physical research often put in socio-political contexts and refers to the personal history of the dancers she works with. Alongside works for the stage, Aharona creates for alternative and open spaces where she brings together her perspectives as a trained architect and a choreographer. Her works touch on the tension between ‘body – movement – and time’, and explore audience-performer relationships and stage virtuosity, searching for various physical challenges.
Aharona was invited to perform on various stages throughout Europe, North America and Israel and at festivals in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Italy, Russia and Canada. Graduated architecture studies from Bezalel, Trained in dance at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem and at the EDDC School in the Netherlands. Aharona Lives and works in Tel Aviv
Choreography: Aharona Israel
Performers: Or Sassi, Gili Geva, Aharona Israel, Ofir Kunesh
Costumes: Melanie Lombard
Composition and vocal guidance, closing song: Udi Raz
Pronunciation guidance: Bahat Kalchi
Lighting design: Lior Levin
Production and rehearsal management: Chani Ben tov-Oren
Grafic Design: Yael Finkelstein Shamay
Table Renovation: Sharon Cherniak
The work was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sports Israel, the Choreographers Association, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Museum, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality, and was hosted as ‘artist in residence’ at the Tel Aviv Hagra Community Center Tel Aviv.
