Gibney Company: Johan Inger | Sonya Tayeh | Sharon Eyal

On March 1-2, the program features works by Johan Inger, Sonya Tayeh, and Sharon Eyal

MART Foundation presents Gibney Company’s first tour to Israel. On February 28 and March 1-2, 2023, this New York City-based contemporary repertory company will perform original works created by internationally renowned choreographers Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, Johan Inger, and Sonya Tayeh.

Founded by choreographer Gina Gibney in 1991 and reinvented in recent years, the Company represents a broad range of aesthetics and techniques working together with renowned and rising contemporary choreographers. The Company has also expanded the role of its dancers, called Artistic Associates, who contribute as community activists in the dance field.

Bliss by Johan Inger (2016/Company Premiere 2022)

For this large-scale ensemble piece, Swedish choreographer Johan Inger uses the legendary “Köln Concert” by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett; music that many consider to be the epitome of virtuoso improvisation. Rather than translating the music one-to-one into movement, it is more the feeling of Jarrett’s iconic music — free, soaring and ecstatic — that Inger translates into beautifully crafted dance, sending not only listeners, but audience members into a state of bliss.

Choreography: Johan Inger

Staging by Yvan Dubreuil

Scenery Design by Johan Inger

Costume Design by Johan Inger & Francesca Messori

Lighting Design by Peter Lundin

Music by Keith Jarrett

Run Time: 27 minutes
 

Intermission: 10 min

OH COURAGE! by Sonya Tayeh (World Premiere 2021)

OH COURAGE! is a piece about self-reflection, truth and resilience. It is a soul march that navigates what occurs when there is a guttural need for change. In that need, there is a sense of euphoria in possibility, and a vivid mourning for what is being lost along the way. How do we create a sanctuary for both?

This work was made possible by the generous support of Andrew A. Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, the O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation, and the Omomuki Foundation.

Choreography: Sonya Tayeh

Associate Choreographer: Jenn Freeman

Original Music: The Bengsons

Set Design: Rachel Hauck

Lighting Design: Asami Morita

Costume Design: Márion Talán de la Rosa

Costume Construction: Victoria Bek

Run Time: 26 minutes
 

SARA by Sharon Eyal, Gai Behar (2013/Company Premiere 2023)

SARA is like a pearl in a treasure, a box of jewels that smells ancient with the feeling of a new. The box cannot be opened all the way,  its charm will fade. White pearl, transparent, leaking colors but always remains a pearl. SARA is minimalist, gentle, emotional and sensitive, hardcore, and old fashioned at the same time. There’s a sense of restraint and taking advantage of the minimum and the maximum. She is not allowing distance and is getting closer to the heart. She comes from there and leaves into the world as a cloud crumbles into the dust of love.

Creators: Sharon Eyal, Gai Behar

Sound Artist: Ori Lichtik

Lighting: Alon Cohen

Costumes: Odelia Arnold

In collaboration with: Rebecca Hytting, Gon Biran, Sharon Eyal, Gai Behar

Run Time: 13 minutes