Alma Söderberg
The joy of a syncopation, the sorrow contained in the timbre of the voice.
ALMA SÖDERBERG
INFINÉTUDE
Studio presentation as part of the ‘36 Hours of Dance’ event on 24 October, 10.00–14.00
ABOUT INFINÉTUDE
Infinitude is a performance in which six people come together to create rhythms through sound and dance. The performance is as much a concert for six voices as it is a dance performance for six bodies. The creation of layered rhythmic patterns – both visual and aural – forms the foundation upon which dance, song and thought are woven. The concept we are exploring is the relationship between abstraction – or pattern-making – and emotions. We seek to draw attention to and amplify the joy of a syncopation, the sorrow contained in the timbre of a voice, the anger associated with a particular movement, the resistance embedded in a melody, and so on and so forth. Polyrhythmic being (the constant endeavour not to be single-minded), multiplicity that celebrates singularity, porosity and the ability to both listen and act are practised through dancing, singing and thinking together.
The title refers to three things. Infinitude, which is the perceived quality of something that could go on and on and on. The letter ‘É’ is singled out and stands for the work on and with emotional connectedness. At a time when emotionality is being hijacked by neo-fascism, it feels necessary to understand how to be both clear-headed and heartfelt at the same time. And finally, ‘Étude’ refers to the attempt to study in depth the various (complex) ways in which we can play with, shape and transform space and time through our movement and our voices.
About Alma Söderberg
Alma Söderberg is a choreographer and performer who works with music and dance. She uses her voice and body to interact with space as if it were an instrument. Her ongoing research explores how we listen whilst we look; the relationship between the ear and the eye.
She has built her practice around several solo performances, but has also created duets, trios and group works in collaboration with various artists, collectives and institutions. She has mainly trained in contemporary dance and flamenco at, amongst others: Matilde Coral Escuela de Danza in Seville, Amor de Dios in Madrid, Gotlands dansutbildningar in Visby and SNDO in Amsterdam. Since 2019, she has also undertaken occasional curatorial work, such as the EarEye festival, which shares the same focus as her own practice.
Credits: Infinitude
Choreography: Alma Söderberg
Performance with and by Anja Müller, Roger Sala Reyner, Alen Nsambu, Eliott Marmouset, Anna Fitoussi and Alma Söderberg
Dramaturgy: Igor Dobričić
Lighting design and technical direction: Sandra Liscano
Costume: Behnaz Aram
Set design: Pol Matthé
Production: Sofia Wickman
Distribution: Giulia Messia
A production by Alma Söderberg Studio, in co-production with Norrlandsoperan, Festival d’Automne à Paris and Moderna Dansteatern MDT, Dansens Hus Stockholm, Skogen, INKONST, Arts Centre BUDA.
Funded by the Swedish Arts Council and Region Skåne.
Alma Söderberg Studio is supported by the Swedish Arts Council and the City of Malmö.