2BlackBox's video: PRIMAL MATTER 2015 in perspective special edition for the Teatro Olimpico

PRIMAL MATTER (in perspective) special edition for the TEATRO OLIMPICO Vicenza, Italy 2015 with MICHALIS THEOPHANOUS & DIMITRIS PAPAIOANNOU — CRITICAL RECEPTION The ancient "kalos kagathos" ideal is revived in the work Papaioannou. —SILVIA POLETTI, delteatro.it As if by magic, the reciprocal exchanges of these two bodies heighten the audience’s awareness of being part of the multitude; because we are all flesh. …The reference to, and criticism of the contemporary is both poetic and heart-breaking. …The fame Dimitris Papaioannou gained for his direction of the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games cannot eclipse the achievements of his stunning artistic career. —BARBARA CODOGNO, Corriere Del Veneto Dimitris Papaioannou and Michalis Theophanous proved themselves Olympians in every sense of the word. Looking at them—and without a word—you realise why Europe, and Western culture were born in Athens. It is a birthplace, a memory, that our identity cannot forget. —LORENZO PAROLIN, Il Giornale di Vicenza The moment where the ancient being is hoisted up onto the legs of the contemporary inevitably brings to mind the current social and political realities of Greece, and the fractured identity of its people. It is a moment of poignant beauty. —FERNANDO MARCHIORI, Ateatro Physical and spiritual osmosis. …Papaioannou’s deeply expressive nature, and the intensity of his amazing talents, are revealed in his profound performances, as in the case of PRIMAL MATTER. —GIUSEPPE DISTEFANO, sole24ore.com The body between the sacred and the profane. …PRIMAL MATTER was beautifully suited to the difficult stage of the Teatro Olimpico, and was so greatly enjoyed here that one can only hope for its swift return. …The work is open to infinite possibilities of interpretation. …Papaioannou is the first artist of the contemporary Greek dance scene to have turned to his country’s glorious and remote past in order reclaim his own culture. —MARINELLA GUATTERINI, il Sole 24 Ore — PRIMAL MATTER concept, direction, sets, costumes & lighting DIMITRIS PAPAIOANNOU sound design KONSTANTINOS MICHOPOULOS assistant director & creative producer TINA PAPANIKOLAOU assistant director & stage manager DINOS NIKOLAOU assistant director & rehearsal director PAVLINA ANDRIOPOULOU collaborating architect DIMITRIS THEODOROPOULOS technical director GEORGIOS BAMBANARAS produced by the ATHENS FESTIVAL (2012) & 2WORKS (2013) with the support of the EXPERIMENTAL MEDIA AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (EMPAC), New York tour travel sponsor AEGEAN AIRLINES video footage by JULIAN MOMMERT video edited by DIMITRIS PAPAIOANNOU — ANDREA PALLADIO, the iconic Rennaissance architect, died in 1580. The TEATRO OLIMPICO was his final design, completed five years after his death. The original trompe l’oeil scenery was designed by VINCENZO SCAMOZZI. It is the oldest surviving stage set in the world. PRIMAL MATTER was the first contemporary physical performance to be presented on this historic stage, over two nights in October 2015. — dimitrispapaioannou.com birthplace2004.com cavafy13.com fb.com/papaioannou.page twitter.com/papaioannou_d vimeo.com/papaioannou