The MACAIA Association in collaboration with the Plastic Art Performance Collective launches this month the YAGORIA project consisting of an eco-performative installation and an eco-video performance, which will be presented in three spaces from Bucharest.
“Yagoria is an invitation to return to the nature that exists within us. By being more attentive to ourselves and the life around us, we can understand that we are not separated from nature“, said Alina Tofan, the initiator of the project, for Empower Artists.
YAGORIA debuted in February this year with documentation of traditional practices of protection and communion with nature in the Romanian and Balkan space.
Throughout the year, the project developed its methodology, proposing a series of cross-performative – choreographic practices, developing digital products, and organizing thematic workshops.
The project is based on the interaction and transformation of natural frameworks (exploited forest area and urban delta) into performative spaces and a pretext for interrogations on the types of human interventions in the environment.
The series of live performances draw an alarm signal on the loss of connections with the natural environment in contemporary society and the need to protect it from abusive interventions.
The YAGORIA eco-performance proposes to regain the ritual as a means of protection, for deeper communication with the elements of nature.
The YAGORIA eco-video performance proposes a visual and audible artistic reflection on the practice of illegal deforestation and the degradation of deltaic ecosystems in the country through single-use plastic pollution.
There were also performative installations on the island of Ostrov, Calarasi, as well as at the Balkanik Festival. The filming for the project took place in 3 natural spaces: The Văcăreşti Delta, the Snagov forest, and the Trovaţii from Buzau.
Through the communication channels of the project, the interested public learns about the method and philosophy of eco-performance, which the project team translates for the first time in Romania.
“The spectators will be absorbed by nature and devoured – along with it, by plastic, that’s how I would describe the experience of the YAGORIA ecovideo performance“, said Gabriel Durlan, the project’s Image Director, for Empower Artists.
EVENT PROGRAM:
November 8, 5:30 p.m.: LIVE Eco Performing – Văcărești Delta;
November 9, 5:30 p.m.: LIVE Eco Performance (inner courtyard of the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant), followed by the projection of the Eco Video Performance and discussions – Cinema Muzeul Țăranului;
November 21, 6:00 p.m.: LIVE Eco-Performance, Eco-Video Performance viewing, and discussions – Librăria Cărturești Modul Universitate.
The team of artists consists of Alina Tofan (Artistic Direction & eco-performer), Maria Mora, Alina Uşurelu/Aigül Cheosep, Răzvan Omotă (performers), Gabriel Durlan (Director of Photography), Alexandru Claudiu Maxim (Video Editor), GCV, Ecaterina Colasîz –KateriniMou (Costumes) and Manuela Marchiș – Pilestra (Music).
The project is carried out by the Plastic Art Performance Collective, an artistic group formed under the umbrella of the Macaia Cultural Association that draws attention to collective waste and themes such as the global plastic crisis and the pollution with disposable objects, climate change, abusive interventions such as illegal deforestation – themes addressed through the artistic filter.
The mission of the MACAIA Association is to make a positive contribution to the community, by initiating and carrying out projects and programs with social and cultural impact, both at the local and national levels.
The project is co-financed by AFCN (Administration of the National Cultural Fund).
The project does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the project results can be used. They are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.
