CHOREOGRAPHER'S STATEMENT

"I am drawn to concepts relating to time, space and the human condition. By placing the human being under intense physical and psychological scrutiny I aim to challenge relationships between performer and viewer, activating the viewer to intellectually participate in the work, developing a unique combination of clear physical abstraction and dramatic intention."

BIOGRAPHY

Born in London, Glasgow based dancer/choreographer Anna Krzystek trained at Merce Cunningham Dance Studios and extensively in Klien/Mahler technique under the guidance of Barbara Mahler in New York.

In 2000 Anna joined as core member of Helsinki based OBLIVIA Performance Company.

Anna has worked independently with numerous choreographers and has been pursuing her own choreographic process since 1997. Anna has presented her work throughout Scotland, London, New York, Helsinki, Vilnius, Frankfurt.

In 2006 Anna was associate curator for Amorph!06 Performance Festival, Helsinki. Following the successful premiere of STILL in February 2007 Anna has recently been chosen as the first recipient of the Scottish Arts Council's Choreographic Fellowship Award. The fellowship will mark the commencement of a year-long research period into the making of FIGURE THIS.

CURRENT WORK

STILL

The second in a series of solo pieces that follows on from TEST. Again we encounter the lone figure essentially waiting in her room. As TEST presents an ongoing prelude to something that may or may not happen, STILL visits the next phase of anticipation.

A solo piece with 5 films and live sound score, STILL exists on a fine line between performance and installation. It explores the openness of an installation whilst still utilizing structural tensions and the clearly defined frontal perspectives found in theatre and film. Finding moments during which the performer is able to fall in and out of focus giving space and time for the spectator's eye to freely engage with other collaborative aspects of the work.

Choreographed and performed by Anna Krzystek. Original sound score by Tom Murray. Film installation by Lucy Cash.

STILL has been commissioned by New Territories. With support from Scottish Arts Council, Tramway, CCA, Dance Base, Dance House, Balance, Finnish Artists Studio Organization.

STILL premiered as part of New Territories in February 2007.

Tour dates include:

ALSAGER ARTS CENTRE Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent October 30th 7.30pm 2008 www.alsagerartscentre.org.uk

RENCONTRES CHOREGRAPHIQUES INTERNATIONALES DE SEINE-SAINT-DENIS Bagnolet, France 7th & 8th June 2008

more information: rencontres-choregraphiques@wanadoo.fr

UKMOVES British Council Showcase Roubaix, France 5th October 2007 More information: www.britishcouncil.org

TOYNBEE STUDIOS , London, England 9th October 2007 More information: nikki@artsadmin.com

DANCE LIVE FESTIVAL, Aberdeen, Scotland 13th October 2007 More information: citymoves@aberdeencity.gov

"(STILL) certainly side-stepped the mainstream with persuasive conviction, producing work that rewarded necessary concentration by sending our thoughts and imaginings into energising freefall." The Herald

More information:  www.newmoves.co.uk

TEST

The premise for TEST is essentially based on the act of waiting. From the beginning we share the performer's perspective, yet powerful presence, which immediately forms tensions between herself and the space, herself and time, herself and the audience.

Within all its sparse quiescence the solo radiates physical exertion to a point where the audience, no longer just observers, become accomplices in this seemingly ongoing waiting game.

Choreographer's statement-

"Although this piece evokes emotive associations of epic status my aim as a performer is to remain as 'quiet' as possible and to experience and present a state of being."

REVIEWS AND ESSAYS

TEST-The Wait, Anna Krzystek, CCA, Glasgow, 21st March 2004'

Philip Stanier, Live Art Magazine

This was something special. A white gallery studio with a table, a chair and a radio tuned to static. One performer dressed in black walks in the space looking at the audience and the room around her, mostly scanning and occasionally looking at something or someone....

'A Chiasma of Changes' - stillness and vast landscapes in Anna Krzysteks choreography

An essay by Annika Tudeer
SUMMARY

Stillness that is yet movement is the foremost quality pervading the solo TEST - The Wait, where Anna Krzystek is perfecting the art of juxtaposing stillness and continuous movement. Anna is working through intricate movement sequences with subtle qualities of change that we could say have become a trademark of her choreography