Stage Door News
Stage Door News
TORONTO, ON (Feb. 18, 2014) – Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage welcomes the world premiere of EUNOIA, the latest work from Toronto-based dancer and choreographer Denise Fujiwara of Fujiwara Dance Inventions. An adaptation of Griffin Poetry Prize-winner Christian Bök’s celebrated constraint-based poem of the same name, where chapters of the text are restricted to the use of a single vowel, Fujiwara applies similar constraints to her choreography to devise this witty, expressive and highly experimental work. EUNOIA runs at the Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre March 19-22.
Christian Bök’s Eunoia is a conceptual, constraint-based poem. Eunoia, which means ‘beautiful thinking’, is the only word in the English language that contains every vowel. To highlight this, Bök applies a set of formal rules to each chapter of the poem, using words that contain only one vowel per chapter. By breaking the norm and applying a rule-based methodology to his work, traditional narratives can be abandoned and new meanings revealed. Bök’s writing is unexpected, intelligent and humorous.
In the same imaginative vein as Bök, Denise Fujiwara and her company of collaborators apply a similar methodology to every artistic vehicle in EUNOIA. Combining Bök’s text with contemporary dance, music, projection and video, Fujiwara Dance Inventions seamlessly apply a series of formal constraints to every element of the show to reveal a compelling kinetic and emotive experience. For example, rather than using vowel restrictions, Fujiwara employs a series of movement-based rules to her choreography. Musically, EUNOIA will be confined to the use of one black key on the piano per chapter.
“Denise Fujiwara is a great Canadian talent in the performance community, ” shares Tina Rasmussen, artistic director for Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage. “Rule based creative practice challenges an artist to operate with heightened discipline and Denise has always been remarkably inventive in her dance practice. We’ve been following the creative development of EUNOIA over the past two years and are thrilled to feature the world premiere of this unique work during our 2014 season. This company was built to take on this exciting choreographic challenge.”
EUNOIA cast members include Sylvie Bouchard, Claudia Moore, Lucy Rupert, Miko Sobreira, Rebecca Hope Terry, Gerald Trentham and Lacey Smith (understudy). Choreographed by Denise Fujiwara with music by composer Phil Strong.
Tickets for EUNOIA and other World Stage 2014 productions are available via Harbourfront Centre’s Box Office. Patrons can call 416-973-4000, visit 235 Queens Quay West and/or go online for all ticket inquiries.
For full company and performance information, including photos, videos and details surrounding World Stage Extras, please visit harbourfrontcentre.com/worldstage and connect with the season on Facebook and Twitter using @WorldStageTO #artlive.
Please visit harbourfrontcentre.com/gettinghere for information about getting here during the Queens Quay revitalization.
WORLD STAGE EXTRAS
Series 8:08 - Butoh/Voice Workshop with Denise Fujiwara and Gerry Trentham
Sunday, Mar. 9, 2014, 12 Noon, Dovercourt House, Dovehouse Ballroom
This Series 8:08 Alternative Technique Class integrates the embodiment practices of the dance-theatre form of butoh with the embodiment practices of Linklater voice and speech work as a means to increased creative potential, range and precision as performers and performance creators. Led by two remarkable teachers: butoh artist Denise Fujiwara and choreographer and National Voice Intensive core faculty member Gerry Trentham. For media inquires, please contact Chrissi Forte at cforte@harbourfrontcentre.com.
EUNOIA – Opening Night Pre-show Event
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 7 p.m. – Enwave Theatre
In an effort to further understand the seemingly complex world of contemporary performance, World Stage invites ticket holders to attend an opening night artist talk and celebration with complimentary freshly brewed tea. This pre-show conversation will be hosted by a well-informed industry practitioner, who will facilitate a friendly, informal chat with patrons to help shed light on some of the ideas and approaches found within the piece. Cup, saucer and programming provided and curated by World Stage. Admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to the opening performance of EUNOIA.
EUNOIA – Talkshow with Samantha Mehra Donaldson
Thursday, Mar. 20, Immediately following the performance – Enwave Theatre
Denise Fujiwara discusses her work and EUNOIA with World Stage audience members through conversation facilitated by host Samantha Mehra Donaldson. Samantha is a PhD candidate at York University, a member of the Society for Canadian Dance Studies, the Society of Dance History Scholars and the Canadian Dance Assembly. Admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to EUNOIA.
ABOUT WORLD STAGE
Since 1986, World Stage has evolved into Canada’s most diverse season-length international contemporary performance series. Every year, Harbourfront Centre brings innovative and groundbreaking performance leaders from both the international and local arts community to World Stage. Committed to bold curation and audience accessibility, World Stage programming continues to foster opportunities for cultural development and the artistic exchange of ideas. Following last year’s Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning season, World Stage 2014 features nine groundbreaking international contemporary performance works, welcoming artists and productions from Finland, Sweden, Germany, England, South Africa, United States and Canada.
ABOUT FUJIWARA DANCE INVENTIONS
Fujiwara Dance Inventions was formed in 1990 to house Artistic Director, Denise Fujiwara’s endeavours as a choreographer and performer. Since its inception, Fujiwara’s seven solo dance concerts have garnered praise across Canada and toured to international festivals in the United States, South America, Europe and Asia. Her forays into ensemble choreography have brought together some of the city’s best and most respected artists and resulted in international commissions. www.fujiwaradance.com
Photo: Scene from Eunoia. ©2014 Jeremy Mimnagh.
2014-02-18
Toronto: Harbourfront World Stage brings Christian Bök's "Eunoia" to the stage March 19-22