acrobatics | Circus Arts | object theatre | physical theatre
Roman Škadra
- Tour dates:
16. + 17.9. Vilnius LT Helium Festival / Arts Printing House 4.-6.10. Møn DK To The Møøn - Genre:
acrobatics | Circus Arts | object theatre | physical theatre - Web: Roman Škadra
News
25.2.2024 Press comments after the premiere at Cirkopolis
Dance Press is impressed by Roman Škadraa's GIREVIK: "The portrayal of the heavily weighted archetype of the strongman was visibly lightened by Roman Škadra's artistic work. He worked on a square wooden surface, to which he added a solid table designed to play with weight and noise like a workshop desk. Additional props, in moderate numbers, were used very functionally, such as a rod with a hook to group and move weights, or man-sized red pumps
DE / SK
Girevik
Girevik means kettlebell man.
Kettlebells are heavy objects resembling a cannonball with a handle. Besides their original purpose of weighing crops, they are firmly linked to workout culture and their use by soldiers, athletes and strongmen.
In Girevik a man embarks on a physical exchange with iron weights. Responding to the objects’ proposals requires him to push his body to the edge of its physical abilities. He travels through a territory definedby obstacles, constantly at the risk of reaching a dead end. Confronted with his vulnerability, he labours to keep the cast-iron bodies moving. Precisely, gently, sincerely, he rearranges the heavy piles again and again. His fragile play interlaces stillness with collapse and order with chaos. The result is a slowly unfolding composition, full of noise, sweat, and tangible tension built through the artist’s physical and emotional effort.
What can the action of lifting the kettlebell communicate beyond the exercise of strength? If the juggling is slow and ponderous, am I still juggling? What if I need obstacles to keep on moving? Do I need 350kg kettlebells to understand my weakness? The research focuses on the relationship between the artist’s body (height 176cm, weight 70kg) and the heavy equipment (30 kettlebells of 350 kg in total) and explores the overlap between object manipulation,weightlifting, and choreography.
Roman Škadra is a Slovak juggler and circus maker currently based in Berlin. In his work, various techniquesmerge to investigate the relationship between body and object. The central theme of his pieces is the absurd and his performances are characterised by intense physical exertion. Škadra is part of a movement of artists who question the conventional perception of circus, creating works that stand at the intersection of different art forms and are intended to be presented in diverse contexts. He draws inspiration from literature, visual art, sports, and human labour. In addition to his own work, Roman collaborated withStefan Sing in Critical Mess and has been part of Squarehead Productions’ For As Long As We’re Here.
Creation + Performance
Roman Škadra
Sound Design
Aleksandras Lempertas
Research Facilitation
Benjamin Richter
Artistic advice
Darragh McLoughlin
Claudio Stellato
Benjamin Richter
Stage Construction
Tomasz Bajszarowicz
Weightlifting Coach
Frank Kraft
Photography
Lily Schlinker
Production + Management
Anna-Katharina Andrees, Ute Classen
Production
Roman Škadra
Residencies
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Theaterhaus Berlin DE
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Schloss Bröllin DE
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Cirqueon Prag CZ
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SE.S.T.A Center for the DEvolpment of Choreography Prag CZ
Support of Research
Fonds Darstellende Künste, #takecare, aus Mitteln der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien
Creation
2024 Prague
Awards
2022 nominiert für Circus next FR