Relai is a set of actions associated with the notions of movement, transmission, transitional object and collective. The starting point is the Bel Horizon tower, in the 3rd district of Marseille, chosen for its name (Beautiful Horizon), the social diversity in the neighbourhood and the desire to restore its aura in Marseille’s landscape.
76 ‘customed’ relay sticks are designed during a series of in situ workshops, corresponding to the number of apartments in the tower. The relay sticks are then activated in performances following various elements previously defined by each participant : a specific path, as well as a way to move, make gestures, a specific dress code and a form of handing over. Each relay has 19 participants, echoing the 19 floors of the tower.
Starting from Bel Horizon, the walks lead the spectators to wander between the public and intimate spaces where the torchbearers redraw in dotted lines a new geography, a singular vision of the city. The rule is to propose unusual paths, to reveal unknown places, to pass from one atmosphere to another, from one culture to another, from one rhythm to another and at the same time revealing the complex mosaic of history and life in Marseille from a sensitive angle.
Borrowing many aspects from in the sport and performance languages, Relai concretely initiates a reflection on the way relationships are renewed by transforming gestures, routines, and the ways of getting in touch. The relationship, the sensitive foundation of any human organisation, are quickly sclerotic or altered when they do not involve bodies. Confronted with what sometimes keeps us “separated-together” – social constructs : class, governance through fear, dematerialized technological networks… – on the contrary, performance here invites through gesture and role play to live the experience of a language that connect us all.
Relai, will start with a ‘performative lecture’ by Cyril Jarton at Bel Horizon tower on the 30th of August, and will end with a closing screening and performance on the 29th of November at the Parvis, including workshops and ‘performance-routes’ on weekends during September and October.
Dates, booking and details : www.lestetesdelart.fr
Booking contact: samuel@lestetesdelart.fr, 06 01 77 53 43
A proposal by Les Têtes de l’Art.
Curated by Cyril Jarton.
