Ballet Philippines’ ‘Opera’: Sculpture in dance

Published at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/554579/lifestyle/artandculture/ballet-philippines-opera-sculpture-in-dance

Published February 9, 2016 7:53pm By TELIBERT LAOC

When dance and contemporary art collide, the senses erupt.

Ballet Philippines is collaborating with several artists—kinetic sculptor Gabriel Barredo, choreographer Redha Benteifour, composer Malek Lopez and librettists Yvette Tan and Erwin Romulo—to create "Opera," a scripted assault on the senses. The production creates synergy between the artists and melds their art forms.  In their performance, the dancers shape and bodily express their unified visions.

Barredo pioneered kinetic (moving) sculpture in the Philippines and his art installations will integrate into the dance sets.  "Meeting Gabby and seeing his work up close is very inspiring," says the Algerian-French Benteifour, whose style draws inspiration from everyday life "where censorship is absent."

"Being part of this production is a great thrill," he said.

Dancers Victor Maguad and Erl Sorilla play Twins; Carissa Adea, Mother; Denise Parungao, Death; Jean Marc Cordero, The Watcher; and Earl John Arisola, The Creator.  With 16 others from the company, led by artistic director Paul Alexander Morales, they fulfill the promise of the artistic collaboration.

As an amateur photographer at the press conference on January 27 in one of the dance studios at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the shoot was quite challenging for me.  There was always something going on onstage—several "events" unfolded before the (stage) canvas.  You point your camera to one event with the knowledge that by doing so you will miss the others.

Like creation constantly happening in the universe, events are taking place seemingly independent of each other.  But "The Artist," "The Creator," may or may not reveal the complete complexity of His work.  In "Opera," Benteifour and Barredo may just reveal what their creation might be.

— BM, GMA News

These photos originally appeared on Telibert Laoc's website.