Boulevard Humaine
by Zoi Dimitriou

Boulevard Humaine
by Zoi Dimitriou

27 - 30 December2023
PLYFA

Boulevard Humaine takes as its starting point the piece Okho by Yannis Xenakis, a commissioned piece intended to celebrate 200 years since the French Revolution and written for a distinctively African instrumentation. Created for 3 female performers, it is a creative exploration of interculturalism and response through dance to Xenakis' themes and rhythms, alongside notions of belonging and the core question of how we can be different together. Echoing the political tones of the music, the title Boulevard Humaine alludes on the ways humanity and various notions of its constitution are endorsed within specific boundaries. One only needs to remember that initially boulevard was a promenade taking the place of a demolished fortification, now planted with rows of trees, '... full with marks of the many names and the many stories hidden within them....'

Zoi Dimitriou graduated from the Greek National School of Dance, then studied under Trisha Brown (New York) and concluded her Master's degree with distinctions in the Practice of the European Dance Theater at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (London). She has been choreographing since 2006 and her accolades include choreography awards such as: Robin Howard Foundation Award 2008, Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund Award 2009, Company of Angels CfC 2010, Sadler's Wells and The Place. She has participated in Aerowaves and has received multiple commissions (e.g. Greek National Opera Ballet, The Place, Onassis STEGI, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, etc.). Her works have been presented in prominent stages such as: Fast Forward Festival 4 / Onassis STEGI, ROH2, Arnolfini, BE Festival, Lilian Baylis, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Kalamata International Dance Festival, Operaestate Veneto Festival, Teatro alla Scala - Milano, Europe in Motion Festival, Spring Loaded / The Place et al. She has participated in European research programs such as Choreoroam, Big intensive (Sadler's Wells), Europe in Motion, and is supported by the Arts Council of England. She is a researcher/lecturer at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and has taught internationally in significant institutions such as: ImPulsTanz Festival, Sasha Waltz Company, National Academy of Dance in Rome, Central School of Speech and Drama, Independent Dance/UK, etc.

Credits:

Concept & Artistic Direction: Zoi Dimitriou
Choreography: Zoi Dimitriou in collaboration with performers
Performance: Funmi Adewole, Natalia Baka, Zoi Dimitriou
Music: Okho by Yannis Xenakis, What a wonderful world by Louis Armstrong
Original Sound composition: Sam Hayden
Dramaturgy: Funmi Adewole, Zoi Dimitriou
Artistic Consultant: Yorgos Valais
Lighting Designer: Tasos Palaioroutas
Set and Costume Design: Dafni Aidoni
Communication: Eva Skrob
Social Media: Social Wave Ath
Creative Producer: Steven Brett
Production Management: Goodheart Productions

Supported using public funding by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Arts Council of England. Supported by Dance Umbrella, Duncan Research Centre for Dance, The Hellenic Centre and TrinityLaban.

Links

www.zoidimitriou.com

https://www.facebook.com/ZoiDimitriou

https://vimeo.com/zdartist

https://www.instagram.com/dimitriouzoi