MANA
© Sieme Hermans
The last woman to be burned as a witch in Lier, Cathelyne van den Bulcke, inspired the young Belgian choreographer, dancer, and visual artist Laura Daelemans to create the solo dance performance MANA. Thanks to Cathelyne’s courage in refusing to betray other women during her torture, the witch trials in Lier came to an end. It may seem like a distant chapter of history, but the theme of the abuse of power by majority groups against minorities remains strikingly relevant today.
For MANA, Laura created three large illustrations based on Cathelyne’s life story. She performs her self-created choreography while animated images glide across her body like moving tattoos. New music for bass clarinet and electronics serves as a live soundscape. The oppressive atmosphere created by the performance portrays Cathelyne’s emotional journey.
Laura is one of the three MakerSpace artists at I SOLISTI. Over a period of three years, they are given the opportunity to create multidisciplinary projects rooted in their own artistic discipline, in collaboration with wind instrumentalists and other artists. Throughout this process, they receive intensive production and artistic guidance, as well as business support.
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Dance:
Laura Daelemans – MANA
Music:
Benjamin Van Esser & Seppe Indigne – MANA
Video:
Noura Mariën – MANA
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Concept, direction, drawings, choreography, dance: Laura Daelemans
Animation: Noura Mariën
Music composition: Benjamin Van Esser & Seppe Indigne
Dramaturgy: Greet Van Poeck
Artistic coaching: Francis Pollet
(Bass) clarinet: Jelmer De Moed
Live electronics: Seppe IndigneProduction: I SOLISTI
With thanks to and support from the Flemish Government, the City of Antwerp’s Young Creators Fund, Muziekgebouw Productiehuis (Amsterdam), DE SINGEL, Schouwburg Noord, BUDA Arts Centre, c o r s o and Het Oude Badhuis.