Cycle

Cycle
Ismo Dance Company
Choreography, concept and direction | Ismo-Pekka Heikinheimo
Dance | Tanja Illukka, Minja Mertanen, Minttu Pietilä and Helena Ratinen
Music | Jouko Kyhälä
Costumes | Sami Korhonen
Set Design | Simon le Roux
Lighting Design | Pekka Pitkänen

Award winning choreographer Ismo-Pekka Heikinheimo's aesthetic imagination and sense of space take viewers on a multi-sensory journey in this beautiful and touching work. At the core of the insightful choreography is the idea of ​​how circular movement repeats itself in people's everyday life, in the cycle of nature and throughout the cycle of life. In the human body, many types of circulation take place, both in the systems that maintain vital functions and in the movements we make every day. Choreographically, it is possible to come up with increasingly complex combinations of circular movements. Circulation as a movement is a condition of life for humans and a life-sustaining phenomenon.

Cycle takes the step of combining two different dance forms, contemporary dance and butoh dance. Their different timings, movement qualities and energies complement each other and create an experience of interweaving. The faster-flowing, dynamic, sometimes rapid paced and abundant movement of contemporary dancers is juxtaposed with the extremely slow but always continuous movement of the butoh dancers. The choreography is structured into a sensual and thought-provoking experience, and approaches philosophical thinking about the cycle of life.

The work has been supported by: Arts Promotion Center Finland, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation and Vantaa Dance Institute
Production: Ismo Dance Company in collaboration with Barker Theatre
Premiere: Barker-teatteri 22.2.2022