Dance Ambassador Celine
Matta Matta 2.0
A playful journey where mats aren't just for lying down
Our dance ambassador Céline experienced the PURPLE Dance Festival 2023. In the Uferstudios she participated in the performance “Matta Matta 2.0”.
MATTA MATTA 2.0
An anteroom: Gesturally and by a voice from the loudspeakers, we are told what to do. We are part of this performance. We all end up connected on the hands as a big snake. The journey behind the black curtain can begin.
White dance carpet and various blue mats are waiting for us.
We go as a whole group into a limited space of mats. When we get the sign to sit down, the excitement increases. Around us is a wall of mats. Getting up is not allowed. Nervousness and fascination spread. The children's big eyes clearly show how much they are focused on what is happening. What happens next?
Around us, behind the blue wall of mats, the first performer starts. Again and again we see individual body parts gliding over the wall. Sometimes a foot, sometimes the legs and then more and more until you finally see the head. He destroys his wall and the space around us becomes bigger and more open again. We get new seats again.
This time we are sitting in a rectangle, the stage is in between. The performers begin and an interplay of man and mat is created. Fascinating what you can do with a mat. Many floor elements and heavy and light movements show the difference. ^ "A body can be heavy and fall to the ground, but also very easily .". It is getting wilder and a way of communication can be recognized. Sometimes they lie down, sometimes one sits on top of the other or they just do nothing. The mat is always represented.
Suddenly a bang. The big heavy mat falls over and reveals to us the 3. performer. She changes the room again. She seems so light in her movement as she hangs on the mats for a long time. It almost seems like she has no ground under her and is climbing somewhere high up in the air.
In the further course, the performers act as a group and repeatedly create new situations. Optical illusions, the mats become a tower. There is a kind of Ninja Warrior wall where the performer pulls herself up with all her strength and the enthusiasm of the children on her side.
Why is it hard to touch the mats in physical education classes? Why are they such a sanctuary in school? This piece proves that mats can do more than just one thing – lie on the floor and protect us from the hard floor.
Finally, we all sit around a large mat and the performers merge with the audience. A great interplay of power and letting go, which shows us that both women and men have the same power and can do everything.
It all ends with a workshop for the kids. Happy and full of energy it goes through the course. In the end, the children are sweaty and exhausted, but rich in new impressions. A successful piece, which invites you to try out and participate.
