Still Standing

“Still standing” is a performance that explores the body as a vehicle of memory and site-specific live sculpture. Using movement, choreography and storytelling it is aimed at encouraging empathy and care as possible attitudes towards what’s left by history – which directs us not only towards the past but also towards the present and the future.

The performance is site-specific – happening in the proximity of KL Plaszow. It is also a dialogue with the historical choreography of an Israeli choreographer Noa Eshkol and the piece she prepared for the 10th anniversary of Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1953 to be performed in the Lohamei Hageta’ot (Ghetto fighters) kibbutz. Through the physical, moving bodies of the performers, the performance provokes questions: how ephemeric forms can be used as commemorative strategies, especially in sites that can be called difficult heritage? What images do we create through movement, connection, composition?

By placing the bodies in the space – with its layers of history – it creates images for the observers to interpret. By exploring relationships turned into physical action it creates a constant shift from the past to the present, from the collective to the personal.

Presented at the beginning of Sukkot, it encourages us to gather outside in the green area around Plaszow. The ephemeral body forms also echo temporarily of Sukka structures.

idea: Aleksandra Janus, Weronika Pelczyńska
lecture/voice: Aleksandra Janus. Monika Szpunar
performance: Monika Szpunar and Weronika Pelczyńska

The choreography will be accompanied by an autonomous audio component (optional). If you would like to hear it please bring your phones + headphones and we will make it available for you on our website. If you cannot bring your own suitable equipment, please send us an email at info@festivalt.com and we will make sure you have access to equipment.