LICKING THINGS (2016)

This performance is a reminder
about the importance of face to face
about limited time
about tolerance
about accepting
about the possibility of change

Licking Things outlines a picture of life as a cyclical event where eternity spreads out. The performance is a encounter of live music and the primitive motion clinging to life at all costs. The performance looks for fulfillment through music and motion, and examines the empty moments that make fulfillment so full. When something reaches that fullness it disintegrates in its perfection, vanishes – and becomes empty again. The repeated motion in the performance covers, fills in, deletes, wipes, brightens/clarifies and heals.

The music is inspired by old vocal music and Mikko Perkola's instrument, the viola da gamba, and it is taken to new spheres by Tuomas Norvio's electronics. Lighting design by Jukka Huitila and costume design by Karoliina Koiso-kanttila are endorsing the timeless and cyclic world of the performance in an essential way.

Press quotes
The work has a strong dramaturgical structure, which is transmitted from the theme of death as a belief in self-management of life. Momentarily the body becomes like a peace agreement between life and death. It finds herself at rest and retreats from the world slowly, like a dance. -Niko Hallikainen, Okulaari

Metamorphoses of repetitions, variations and combinations, are recurring themes. As a spectator, I experience the great openness, combined with the right sprawling impulsivity, which is both intriguing and energizing. What perhaps distinguishes this performance is that so much is based on movement, and that movement in itself has been given such a prominent role in the stage production. -Jan-Peter Kaiku, HBL.

Creative Team

Performance: Sari Palmgren & working team
Working team: Jukka Huitila, Karoliina Koiso-kanttila, Saara Norvio, Tuomas Norvio, Sari Palmgren, Mikko Perkola and Katri Soini

Composition: Mikko Perkola & Tuomas Norvio
In addition: I am Falling (comp. Tobias Hume) ja Assimilation (lyr. Eeva-Liisa Manner, comp. Mikko Perkola)

Dramaturgical assistance: Janina Rajakangas
Teaser: Perttu Saksa
Lighting assistance: Topias Toppinen
Seamstresses: Pauliina Sutinen and Jessika Erkko
Photos: Uupi Tirronen
Videokuvaus: Teemu Kyytinen ja Ari Kauppila
Production: Zodiak – Uuden tanssin keskus, Sari Palmgren
Residencies: Ice Hot residences: Dance base/Scotland & Dance Atelier/ Iceland

Supported by: Grey Cube Festival (Maaseudun sivistysliitto), Oskar Öflunds Stiftelse, Arts Promotion Centre Finland and Samuel Huberin taidesäätiö

Premiere 9.11.2016 Zodiak – Center for new dance, Helsinki.
Performance: 11.-17.11.2016 Zodiak – Center for new dance, Helsinki
Duration 50min.

Short trailer (00:46): https://vimeo.com/193421243
Press photos: http://www.zodiak.fi/medialle/lehdistokuvat/2016/syksy/sari-palmgren-licking-things

Full performance video and rider by request: sari.palmgren(at)gmail.com