Praxagora.nu (2016)

Conception / direction : Dimitri Tsiapkinis
Performers : Julien Besse, Karine Bonneau, Emilie Coudère, Claire Gervais, Claire Guillaume, Magali Dijoux, Carl Loiseau, Bruno Morin, Rosa Pires de Matos, Quentin Perrotte, Keely Sigot.
Duration : ~ 50min

Which newtopia could humans propose in the current geopolitical mazes? Could the archetypal feminine generate metamorphosis in the evolution of our societies? However, these questions presuppose that we believe in this kind of psychological archetypes, deeply rooted in Western culture. Praxagora.nu is a theatrical choreography inspired by the Greek Aristophanes’ comedy “The Ekklésiazouses” (The Assembly of Women). Does Praxagora – representing the women of her city – impose a feminine form of dictatorship to the image of Marx’s proletarian dictatorship? Or is it rather that Marx was inspired by Aristophanes? In short, the legislative proposals she makes are purposefully focused into the welfare of all citizens. But not quite all… Lovers of private property are not happy at all; it requires from them to share everything. And then there is the exploitation of slaves, historically inseparable of the social structures of ancient empires. There have been utopian propositions where robots replaced the slaves, but for now it is multinational corporations and power addicts who seem to enjoy their service. Are we ready for a new societal paradigm? How can we transform our egocentric impulses – at least partly – into cosmocentric creative forces?

Omnivion’s choreographic proposal does not offer political solutions. It just draws our attention to these issues through poetic interrogation. It is a choreographic community that shares their thoughts and expressivity on living together. The team relied on the text of Aristophanes, on personal texts, on music and on the political agenda to develop its semi-chaotic dramaturgy, reaffirming the joy of living and creating, in this world where order and chaos have always coexisted.