PORTMANTEAU
Creation 2018
On tour
A portmanteau is a linguistic blend of words, in which parts of multiple words and their meanings are combined into a new word.
Through a series of meetings and combinations, the interdisciplinary performance PORTMANTEAU brings together on stage a dancer / tight wire artist, a juggler / visual artist, a musician, a light designer and old overhead projectors.
Supported by handmade visuals projected on the space and on moving bodies, accompanied by the warm sounds of a double bass, the performance explores themes of connection and interaction.
The playful nostalgia and immediate interaction between the overhead projectors and the performers, combined with a fresh approach to their technical skills, create a pure, honest and dynamic visual environment.
Inviting the audience to observe, feel and experience, Portmanteau aims to evoke emotions in a poetic, nonlinear fashion.
“You see it’s like a portmanteau – there are two meanings packed up into one word.”
~ Lewis Carrol – Through the Looking Glass
CONCEPT / DIRECTION Luis Sartori do Vale, Mira Ravald
PERFORMANCE Mira Ravald, Luis Sartori do Vale, Antonio Alemanno, Jere Mönkkönen
MUSIC / SOUND DESIGN Antonio Alemanno
LIGHT DESIGN Jere Mönkkönen
PRODUCTION WHS (FI)
CO-PRODUCTION Flow Productions (FI), Espace Catastrophe # Centre International de Création des Arts du Cirque (BE)
SUPPORT Arts Promotion Centre Finland (FI), Samuel Huberin Taidesäätiö (FI), Saari Residence (FI), Cirko – Centre For New Circus (FI), Espoo Cultural Centre (FI), Silence Festival (FI), La Central del Circ (ES), La Grainerie (FR), Dieselverkstaden (SE), Cirkör LAB (SE), Subtopia (SE)
“Artistically ambitious, stylish and well-polished piece of work that successfully combines different forms of art. Highly talented artists have created a piece that is appealing, warmhearted, innovative, charming and honest, and in which the stage work is skillful and even hypnotic at best. All the different elements, including music and light design, come together in a balanced performance that requires input from every member of the working group.”
Sirkuksen Lumo 2018 Prize – 11.3.2019
“An experience worth seeing and experiencing.
Portmanteau is a skilled and beautiful poetic abstract presentation.”
Annikki Alku / Demokraatti – 19.09.2018
“On se retrouve au croisement du cirque et des arts visuels et c’est juste magnifique pour les yeux. (…)
Ce joli ballet parfaitement orchestré ne serait pas pareil sans la contrebasse de Antonio Alemanno
qui ajoute cette tension et ce suspense auprès des spectateurs fascinés par la beauté de cette performance
durant laquelle on sent une grande complicité entre Luis et Mira.”
Branchés Culture – ManuGo
“The audience gets to share the authors imagination, childish strive for experiment
and playfulness which rely on strong skills of circus art.(…)
Wow-effects are offered by the couple’s charming dance duet,
Mira Ravald’s latin technique on the wire and Luis Sartori do Vale’s ball juggling.”
Eeva Kauppinen / Kaleva – 4.2.2018
“Overhead projectors have never been used for such a beautiful cause.”
Anssi Tapio / Kittilälehti – 14.6.2017
“In Portmanteau pure handicraft combines with clear ideas and thought-through technique.
An optical effect where the performers lose their contours and transform as into liquid in the sidelight gets one to gasp.
A magnificent science fantasy and optical illusion.”
Eeva Kauppinen / Kaleva – 4.2.2018
