Memories of Oslo

March 21st, 2008

Our second week in the studio has just started. Monday morning tension was there… and slowly abated with the day. Sitting in the theater between two rehearsals, I suddenly realized how much the tempo has intensified since our first day of creation in Norway.

   Swan and I got to work with the dancers on Glassy Essence for the first time in the studio of the brand new Dansens Hus in Oslo. It was the last day of our tour in Norway. Despite the fatigue, everyone was excited to start something new and in some ways to be “home again”: the dancers had not worked with Swan for more than a year, and Swan was finally able to work on movements after countless hours spent thinking and talking about it! That day, we had for the first time some music samples from Stefano to work with… really basic and rough sections, but again, it was just good to start for real…
   The day prior, Swan and I had walked from our hotel to Vigelandparken, a park Northwest of Oslo known for its hundreds bronze, granite and wrought-iron sculptures by Gustav Vigeland; the park sculptures depict the stages of life from birth to death, one generation to the next. I took pictures of few of them… So much simplicity, and yet richness and poignancy… Art in nature, the kids at play around and on the statues, no separations nor limits set by a museum or a stage… This made so much sense to me…
   I like to think that the real start of Glassy Essence between Swan and me took place during our conversation that Sunday in the Park. It felt very liberating to talk about it in the special setting, far away from New York… It felt easy too…and uncensored…
   Today, while waiting for the next rehearsal, back in New York and its palpable stress, images of Oslo rushed back… The stroll in Vigelandparken is still echoing in us… quiet, safe, simple… I know that Swan and I will try in the stressful hours to come to go back to this first day…
   Over the week-end, I read an article about the French actor, Louis Garrel. While talking about the importance of creating a relationship with his fellow actors off camera, he says: “The film is a residue of a larger life”…

   Nick and Jason finally entered the theater for the next rehearsal. I snapped out of my thoughts. Swan and I exchanged a brief look. I smiled. Glassy Essence is a residue of a larger life… one with Francois and his photos, Gilles and his videos, Stefano and his music, and Alexander, and the dancers of course, and New York always… and Oslo… and its Vigeland Park, on a dear Sunday afternoon, in March.

-Alexandra

Glassy Essence rehearsal at Dansens Hus in Oslo

Swan at the cafe on the way to Vigelandparken

Sculptures at Vigelandparken

Sculptures at Vigelandparken

Detail on one of the sculpures that we really liked

Entry Filed under: Alexandra