Animal Mal studies our relationship with nature

Animal Mal at the Cultural Centre Caisa continues choreographer and dance artist Favela Vera Ortiz’ series of works on hybrids that are part human, part animal. The piece will premiere on Thursday, 12 May 2022. The previous parts of the series have been solo pieces. In Animal Mal, three dancers taking the form of a hybrid that is part human and part animal will take the stage.

Animal Mal, or “Bad animal”, studies humanity and our relationship with nature in a unique, strongly visual way. The piece is inspired by the books and dystopic worlds of author Margaret Atwood. The piece opens up questions about the different forms of creatures and our relationship with the body and world. Why are we what we are? How do we define ourselves and others and what kind of world are we creating? In the performance, humanity is explored through alienation, through the eyes of hybrids that are something between human and animal.  

“Animal Mal discusses our way of existing and interacting with animals and the environment. The leading idea is to live a more organic lifestyle. The piece introduces parallel worlds where both extinct animals and species still unknown to mankind are wandering around,” says Choreographer Favela Vera Ortiz.

Favela’s series of works about hybrids that are part human and part animal began with Myoclonic in 2013, when she worked with sculptor Annee Miron in Melbourne, Australia. The most recent part of the series is Opus Corpus III from 2016.

More information:

Choreographer: Favela Vera Ortiz
Dancers: Tanja Illukka, Lara Müller, Elina Valtonen
Scenographer: Lotta Esko

Duration: approx. 1 h (no intermission)
Language: no dialogue
Tickets: €15/10

Performances:
Premiere on: Thursday, 12 May 2022 at 19
Fri, 13 May 2022 at 19
Sat, 14 May 2022 at 17

Cultural Centre Caisa
Kaikukatu 4B, Helsinki
www.caisa.fi

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Dear Journalist, you are warmly welcome to attend the premiere on Thursday, 12 May or any other performance. Press tickets can be booked by sending an email to: johanna.rissanen@hel.fi