Humanity and tragedy through nudity

Olivier Dubois explains that what we classify as human does not mean humanity, and that “it is humanity itself that becomes our tragedy.” “Humanity is a blurred concept that is questioned while rewriting the social context,” explains the French choreographer, who, ten years after the premiere, reinterprets “Tragedy”, a dance poem that pushes the viewer to feel the world at its extreme. Intimate, natural and pure way. 18 artists, men and women, in their true nakedness, walk, tread, run, rise, appear and disappear in an infinite dance that excites those who see it, but also those who interpret it.

Tragedie, a new adaptation is now presented in two unique shows: today and tomorrow at the Mercat de les Flors. A space that hosts for the third time the works of Olivier Dubois, director of the Ballet du Nord between 2014 and 2017 and considered one of the most radical choreographers of our time. In 2012, “Tragedy” was presented at the Avignon Festival, and from the moment it was premiered it became a unique piece in the world of contemporary dance.

Over the years, DuBois developed dozens of works of art, often drawing on elements of Greek tragedy, poetry, and literature. His work questions the past, but also the present and future. The history we carry is a part of us and this is evident in his works.

Obsessions and wounds have always been the main driver of Du Bois's artistic creativity. Without neglecting new social perspectives and new sensibilities, he presents a re-adapted project, taking up vulnerabilities and fears and integrating them into a collection that is vibrant and primitive, but of great beauty in its entirety.

It highlights the work behind the bambooline, which requires a lot more effort than it seems. For their work Oguri – within a trilogy of critical studies of optical illusions – worked for several months with the French Olympic athletics team. It's a challenge that goes beyond the physical and mental levels, and as DuBois said, “Dancing is almost like a drug, it's addictive.”

Exhausting and rejuvenating

Any creation is born from the gut, from a very intimate feeling or perception. The interpretation of this tragedy, the new amendment, is exhausting and at the same time refreshing. In order to be able to explain this, it requires nudity. Nudity is historically deconstructed, cyclical, accepted and rejected according to historical and social contexts. What is nudity? Olivier Dubois repeats this question several times. He adds between his laughs that this topic will spark a wide discussion for him.

How to move away from the social construct or taboo that nudity generates in order to focus on what these movements, these strikes, these falls mean. It all depends on the viewer's outlook.