Butoh dance: Kea Tonetti
live music: Tivitavi
duration time: 50’ or 30’ (shorter version)
«The Self, although hidden in all things, does not manifest its splendor»
Joseph Campbell
As under a spell, we live behind Maya’s veil, which hides the essence of things, hypnotized by illusory ideas that generate desire, aversion, or fear. A white swan, wounded, oblivious to its splendor, dies and seems to cry out, “What is my name?” Innocence dies during wars and abuses of power, but so does the old world, giving birth to the new. To remove the veil is to remember that the Spirit is in everything and is eternal. The swan, shining in its whiteness, receives the world and with immense joy says to itself: “I am That.” We are children of the earth and our body is our sacred home. Dancing with Mother Earth, my body becomes “empty” and receives the Universe with love.
The performance was presented at: Amsterdam Butoh Festival (2022); Hybrid Butoh Festival, Vienna (2022); Helsinki Butoh Festival (2023); Festival Miniature, Ruvo di Puglia (BA) – IT (2023); Festival International Danse Butoh, Valence – FR (2024); Festival Sol de Sabba, Bosa (OR) – IT (2024); Festival “Le Voci dell’Anima”, Rimini (2024); Republika Sztuki Tłusta Langusta Theater, Poznan – PL (2025).
Photos by Cath Graz, Dino Morri, Joseph D’Ingeo, Jet van Gaal, Claude Hofer, Gianfranco Mura.