After 2 weeks of working on a Forprosjekt / in research residency for our new performance Hryggr at Praxis Oslo, we invite for a showing of work in progress, followed by a dialogue/talk about the thematics of our new work and reflections of the material in development, together with the people attending. 

«hryggr» is a new interdisciplinary collaboration between dancer/choreographer Bára Sigfúsdóttir and musician/composer Eivind Lønning. The performance is inspired by the Atlantic Ocean and its impact, importance and connection to our culture in times of climate change. The performance will be a solo dance, where Eivind accompanies with live music.

Our inspiration for the title is taken from the Atlantic Ridge, which looks like a giant spine on the surface of the Earth. The title refers to Old Norse and has two different meanings; as noun it translates to “spine” and as adjective to “being sad”. Global warming and climate change affect the ocean like everything else on our planet. Temperature rise, sea level rise and acidification have already made a big impact on people all over the world. We want to explore the body of the ocean and body of the dancer in a metaphoric context. The depth, power and mystery of the ocean can feel both fascinating and frightening. The ocean is for us an interesting meeting point between poetry and horror. Knowledge and the unknown. It is powerful, yet vulnerable. For us, these natural contrasts have a poetic similarity with being human.

We believe there is important power and knowledge in our bodies. Things that may not be said can be felt and this seems to be a key in how we perceive, experience and understand the world.  "The body is the link that connects the human subject with the natural world. We are part of nature because we are embodied. As bodies we are material beings. As bodies we are relational, temporary, contextual, conditional beings who are subjected to forces beyond our control"  (Reclaiming nature by reclaiming the body, Guðbjorg R. Johannesdottir and Sigridur Thorgeirsdottir, Essay in environmental philosophy, 2016). 

In «hryggr» we will explore the moving body as a link that connects us to the natural world, of which we are an inseparable part of; as a force within other forces, as an important tool for reflection and knowledge production and as a source of connection to oneself and others in today's moving and transforming society.

Bára Sigfúsdóttir (b. 1984, Reykjavík, Iceland) is a dancer and choreographer, based in Oslo.

Bára´s artistic work explores themes relating to the human being in interconnection with nature and society. Starting from significant topics, she explores ways of zooming in on them through the moving body in a poetic, human, detailed and vivid manner. Bára always works with the process of improvisation as a point of departure from where she develops musical and multi-layered choreographic material. She frequently collaborates with artists who inspire her from other art fields.

Bára's performances On the other side of a sand dune, The Lover, TIDE, 'being', FLÆÐI, FLÖKT and Fabulation have been presented at national and international venues and festivals, including Reykjavik Arts festival, Venice Biennale, Ice-Hot Nordic Dance Platform, Tanzmesse, Performatik festival, Theaterfestival, Moving Futures festival, Theater Aan Zee and Julidans amongst others. In 2015 The Lover was selected for the Circuit X network, which enabled it to tour extensively in Flanders and the Netherlands. The Lover received 6 nominations for the Icelandic Performing arts Awards in 2019, where Bára was awarded 'Choreographer of the Year' and 'Dancer of the Year' in Iceland.

Eivind Lønning is one of the most prominent musicians and composers on the Norwegian creative music scene, and has developed his own distinctive sound on the trumpet. He is touring and composing music as a solo artist, and with bands like Streifenjunko and Christian Wallumrød Ensemble. His latest collaboration as a solo artist with Jim O’Rourke, the piece «most, but potentially all» will be released on the record label Smalltown Supersound in 2024.

Photo: Aëla Labbé