Earth Works

Performance · Premiere by Sergiu Matis in the frame of :Love:

The score of the new performance by choreographer Sergiu Matis is composed of texts written by authors from around the globe about their personal experiences with our existentially threatened environment. These reflections, commissioned for “Earth Works”, are recited, translated and interpreted by five performers. Prompted by words and sentences, images, figures, choreographic spaces and atmospheres emerge through which the performers move: The text carries them through the choreography and the dancers, in turn, carry the words through the performance space. This interdependent movement gives the texts body and voice, oscillating between grief and hope, destruction and resilience. The performers are driven to act, to discover new pathways and give hope to a society that finds itself threatened by a sixth mass extinction event. 

“Earth Works” is a continuation of Sergiu Matis’ long-standing artistic exploration of the climate and biodiversity crisis and the relationship between text and choreography. 

“Earth Works” will premiere at Radialsystem as part of the :LOVE: cooperation between Tanzfabrik Berlin and Radialsystem. With the initiative “Radialsystem ♥ Tanzfabrik”, the two institutions are working together to improve the labour and presentation conditions of dance professionals in Berlin.

An artist talk will take place after the performance on 21 December.

Concept & Choreography: Sergiu Matis

Performance: Chihiro Araki, Lisa Densem, Moo Kim, Sergiu Matis, Nicola Micallef

Text: Hana Pera Aoake, Rahima Gambo, Priya Jay, Jeanine Leane, Sergiu Matis, Harun Morrisson, Leena Valkeapää, Oula A. Valkeapää

Dramaturgy: Mila Pavićević

Composition: Antye Greie-Ripatti (AGF)

Stage & Lighting: Ladislav Zajac

Costume: Chihiro Araki, Lisa Densem, Philip Ingman, Moo Kim, Sergiu Matis, Nicola Micallef

Vocal coach: Jule Flierl

Technology & Sound: Andrea Parolin

Assistance Choreography: Laurie Young

Editorial coordination: Harun Morrisson

Production: Anna Chwialkowska, Philip Ingman

A production by Sergiu Matis, in co-production with Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II Lisbon as part of apap - FEMINIST FUTURES, co-funded by the Creative Europe Program of the European Union, PACT Zollverein, Radialsystem and Tanzfabrik Berlin. With the kind support of BUDA (Kortrijk). 

Funded by the Capital Cultural Fund. Sergiu Matis is supported by apap - FEMINIST FUTURES, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Sergiu Matis (he/him) is a Romanian choreographer living in Berlin since 2008. He has created dance performances such as «Neverendings» (2017), «Hopeless.» (2019), «Extinction Room» (2019), «UNREST» (2021), «DRANG» (2022) and «Blazing Worlds» (2023). His work has been presented at festivals throughout Europe. Matis' dance practice can be understood as a tireless search through physical and digitalised archives. His performances provoke intense experiences that break with expectations and strive towards a new understanding of dance.

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 19/December/2024 20:30 (3 more dates)
• Venue Radialsystem V
• Address Holzmarktstraße 33, 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain