Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1107757
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 APRIL 2019 FILM DANCE FOR many, a dance perfor- mance is simply seen as a form of entertainment. However, for ZfinMalta, dance means much more. They use dance to con- vey a powerful message to the audience. Following a success- ful world premiere of Paolo Mangiola's Voyager last No- vember, ZfinMalta is currently on its second national tour. From where did the idea behind this choreography arise? It is inspired by NASA's mis- sion 41 years ago, when it sent a present into outer space to give intelligent life a snapshot of Earth's diversity, sounds, feelings and thoughts through 116 images encoded in analog form. This Golden Record, a 12-inch gold-plated time cap- sule launched on the Voyager Spacecraft in 1977, was in- tended to communicate the story of humans to extrater- restrials. "The choreography I create all starts out from things that make me curious… things I don't know about and which I am ready to explore. I was very well aware of the Voyager and the Golden Record, but I wanted to find out more. Af- ter several research, I thought the subject would be interest- ing to transform into a dance," says Mangiola. Will someone who doesn't understand dance get the message? We asked Mangiola if the audience will find his chore- ography to be rather abstract and confusing. The artistic director said that it shouldn't be a problem since dance is a language in itself. "Movement isn't a linear means of communication like words. It does not covey a lit- eral message, however, dance utilises natural movements and gestures to convey that which does not need words in order to be understood. It is far more complex," says Man- giola. This is why dance is ideal to communicate such an ab- stract subject. According to Mangiola, dance is the most accessible form of communi- cation. "We all have a body and this is why the audience will feel an instant connection with the dancers' movements on the stage. In this day and age, we are constantly trying to understand, explain and analyse everything around us. Dance enables one to let go of all this. What will the audience take away from this performance? First of all, Mangiola appeals to all people intending on watching the show to go with an open mind and to welcome all emotions instilled in them through the dancers' move- ments. "Come with an open mind and get ready to disconnect from everything surrounding you and concentrate on some- thing that is unique. " Mangiola would like the audience to reflect upon the Voyager and the 'Golden Re- cord'. "Who are we? What mes- sages would we like to com- municate? How are we treat- ing our planet? Why are we treating it this way? I want the audience to reflect upon these questions, in the theatre and even after the show is over. What would NASA send into outer space were it to repeat the same exercise today? How is the choreography created? Mangiola explained that like most authors, he carried out the necessary research, asked particular questions, explored the message he planned on communicating with the audi- ence and from there began to create content which reflects every part of his research. On the contrary of a writer, he addresses the audience through movement rather than words. "We are using a language that everyone can under- stand," he insisted. Having said that, anyone attending this show will not only be witnessing a group of dancers. Mangiola has col- laborated with a full Maltese team, including visual artist Austin Camilleri, composer Veronique Vella and designer Luke Azzopardi to help bring his vision to fruition. When will these performances be taking place? The National Tour was launched at St Agatha Theatre in Rabat, on the 13 April. This performance preceded the second leg of the tour which will take the company dancers to Teatru Aurora in Gozo, on the 27 April. The company will close off the National Tour with a per- formance at Pjazza Teatru Rjal on the 3rd May. ZfinMalta, the national dance company, was founded four years ago. The company aims to bring together an ensemble of high- quality international and Mal- tese dancers and create work that is world class. They aim on inspiring, ex- citing and, most importantly, including audiences in the ideas and constant develop- ments evident in the nature of the contemporary arts inter- nationally today. This year, ZfinMalta aims at creating an experience that propels its audience into a world of introspection, self-discovery and ref lection. YENDRICK CIOFFI sat down with the company's artistic director and choreographer, Paolo Mangiola, to find out more. Dance as a universal language Paolo Mangiola "Who are we? What messages would we like to communicate? How are we treating our planet? Why are we treating it this way?"