Bodies in Urban Spaces

Event Type
Performance
Event Description

“bodies in urban spaces” is a temporary intervention in diversified urban architectonical environment. The intention of “bodies in urban spaces” is to point out the urban functional structure and to uncover the restricted movement possibilities and behaviour as well as rules and limitations.

By placing the bodies in selected spots, the interventions provoke a thinking process and produce irritation. Passersby, residents and audience are motivated and prompted to reflect their urban surrounding and their own movement behaviour and habits. “bodies in urban spaces” invites the residents to walk their own city, thus establishing a stronger relationship to their neighbourhood, district and town. The interventions are temporary without leaving any traces behind, but imprints in the eye-witnesses’ memory. “bodies in urban spaces” is supported by: City of Vienna/Austria, Austrian Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture (BMUKK) and Austrian Cultural Forum New York.

 

“…. Cie. Willi Dorner’s bodies in urban spaces is one of those pieces that thankfully defy categorisation, being neither dance, nor street theatre – use artspeak and call it an urban intervention or performance art if you will, or living sculpture, or fun. How we fit into urban spaces is addressed in a completely literal, funny and rather touching way and the contrast between the obdurate building, materials and the malleability of the human body is rarely so clear. … the space between a lamppost and a wall will not be the same.”

- John Mallinson, Ballet.magazine UK, October 2009

Collaborators:

Idea, concept: Willi Dorner

Choreographic assistant: Esther V. Steinkogler

Production: Regina Reisinger, Christina Medosch Performers: Josh Anderson, Julia Antonick, Justin Deschamps, Allyson Esposito, Al Evangelista, Micah Figueroa, Cooper Forsman, Sam Gardner, Katie Graves, Britt Kamper, Anne Kasdorf, Chris Knowlton, Joan Lin, Jonathan Meyer, Jordan Reinwald, Dylan Roth, Anne Shalo, Nora Sharp, Destiny Vinley, and Sara Zalek

Photos: Lisa Rastl

Dance Styles
Multi-disciplinary
Modern / Contemporary

Location

Daley Plaza

50 W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602