In their work for four men, choreographers Yossi Berg and Oded Graf return to the Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky’s monumental work, originally created on the eve of World War I, to examine the ethos of cult, sacrifice and masculinity in a local, contemporary context. Alongside Tal Adler Arieli and Avshalom Latucha, the four play a variety of contradictory images from the collective memory, ranging from expressions of stormy sexuality, passion, and violence to compassion and tenderness. The work moves from past to future, raising questions about the connection between the establishment of masculine identity, sexuality and the adoration of the homeland – and through body, text and movement – seeks to offer a new kind of cult.
The piece premiered in 2017.
Tel Aviv-based choreographers Yossi Berg and Oded Graf began collaborating in 2005. They’ve garnered a reputation for boundary-pushing work that is highly physical, poignant and clever. Berg and Graf toured their productions worldwide (Festival Montpellier Danse, American Dance Festival, The Joyce Theater NYC, DansensHus Stockholm, SIDance South Korea, to name but a few) and received several prestigious international awards. They commissioned their works as guest choreographers in numerous dance companies and universities. Yossi & Oded are artistic directors, inventors, researchers, dancers, educators, and mentors; in the last years Yossi leads the ‘Sadna Gaaton school’ and Oded leads the ‘Curtain Up’ Dance Festival across Israel. They received the Israel’s Ministry of Culture Award for Outstanding Choreographers and the Rosenblum Prize for Artistic Excellence in the Performing Arts.
Concept & Choreography: Yossi Berg & Oded Graf
Creating performers: Avshalom Latucha, Tal Adler Arieli, Oded Graf, Yossi Berg
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Soundtrack design: Binya Reches
Artistic Advisers: Ran Brown, Nava Zuckerman, Rachel Erdos
Dramaturge within Shishi Be Ora program: Yael Venezia
Website: www.yossioded.com
Supported by the Lottery Council for Culture & Arts, Rabinovich Foundation, Tel Aviv Municipality & the Israel Ministry of Culture
