Dance performance by Nataša Živković
Still life enacts a withdrawal into immobility. It’s an echo of three traditional forms: still life as a visual form, ballet as a movement form and verse as a mental form. Tradition as socially-sanctioned norms is a loop, the exit out of which is a priori recognized as a symptom of hysteria (an excess). Up until the 17th century, hysteria was seen as an exclusively female illness caused by improper functioning of the womb, the ascribed therapy being sexual intercourse, orgasm or pregnancy. Today, hysteria is no longer seen as a female illness and the way out exists only as aestheticized excess. In the performance of Nataša Živkovič, excess – ballerina’s urinating into a teapot – is also no longer an act of rebellion, but merely a symptom of utter subjugation and pure pleasure in being allowed to do so. This is the time of still life.
Conceived by Nataša Živković and Bojan Jablanovec
Performers: Nataša Živković and Secret Guests
Text: France Prešeren
Direction: Bojan Jablanovec
Music: Klemen Bračko, performed (live) by Klemen Bračko (violin), Eva Jurgec (oboe), Mirela Rihtar (cello).
Light design: Igor Remeta
Producer: Špela Trošt
Production: Via Negativa, 2010, with the support by Ministry of Culture of RS and the City of Ljubljana
Premiere: 17 October 2010, City of Women Festival Ljubljana
Duration: 25 min