Visual solo performance, inspired by work of Francesca Woodman and the sensation of impermanence evoked by photography
“Francesca Woodman built a unique body of work during her short life. Expressive, black and white images, dominated by her naked body in unusual poses, started to gain public attention only after her suicide in 1981. The actress and director Daubnerová systematically aims for a visually attractive, documentary and fragmentary theatre. In Untitled she goes on to show fragments of a creative process. Thus, the audience watches Woodman “live” take her most famous photographs with a self-timer. The concentrated scenes are only complemented by music and a projection of notes on photographs and diary entries. Words are useless. Even with the absence of speech on stage, the audience sees the story in photographs, originating before its eyes.” Soňa Smolková
Concept, director, setdesign and costumes, performer: Sláva Daubnerová Choreography: Stanislava Vlčeková Dramaturgy and technical cooperation: Pavel Graus Light design: Slavomír Šmálik Production: P.A.T.platform for contemporary theatre Opening night: 10th December 2012, Divadlo SĽUK Financial support: Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Awards: The Best Performance of the season 2012/2013 - Dosky Awards, Nominations in categories The Best Actress and The Best Direction of the season, Tatra Banka Foundation Prize for Art 2013 as “Young Creative Artist” in category Theatre, Anniversary prize of the Literary Foundation for theatre and dramatic arts for direction
Selected festivals: APAP 2014, New York, International Platonov Arts Festival 2014 Voronezh, Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space 2019 – Slovak section, Move in station – Performance Art Festival 2013 Plzeň, 21st International festival Theatre Plzeň 2013 – section JOHAN presents, Off Europa Festival 2013 Leipzig/Dresden, BE24: festival NoD Prague 2016, Akademický Prešov 2018, Tabačka Kulturfabrik 2018
“For American photographer Francesca Woodman, the world was a square – a little round one. The emotional geometry of her life was disrupted by depression, in 22 she successfully attempted suicide for the second time. But she did manage to publish a book of photographs and handwritten notes. She usually labeled her photographs as Untitled. This is also the title of a fragile performance, dedicated to the visual artist by Sláva Daubnerová. She is not alone on stage – she surrounds herself with sounds, carefully picked props, but most importantly with emotions. For facts, there are encyclopedias. The minimalist music seems as if composed to the performer's every motion. With choreographer Stanislava Vlčeková, they have created a work of art, delicately touching upon loneliness and nakedness.” Zuzana Uličianska
foto: Samo Trnka, Jakub Gulyás