Voirelia’s highly original contemporary dance works draw on sources ranging from psychology and philosophy to literature. Choreographed by Alina Sotskova, De/Formed Revival is inspired by Renaissance art and sculpture: three expressive, finely honed dancers take us on a journey of transformation, exploring how we can emerge from a mould that someone else has built around us – to release the past and embrace change.
De/Formed Revival
Artistic Director and Choreographer: Alina Sotskova
Dancers: Hana Rutka, Ben DeFaria, Will Jessup
Costume design: Alaia Hamer
Music: Antonio Vivaldi, Luigi Cherubini, Andrew Short, Janice Wong, with sound score editing by Sylvain Senez
Thanks to Raina von Waldenburg for dramaturgical consultation.
This work was created during a 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 residencies at the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts and premiered there in spring 2023. Voirelia wishes to acknowledge and thank the following contributors who were part of the creation process:
Artistic Advisor: Idan Cohen
Artistic Associate: Margarida Macieira
Research phase dance artists | Choreography collaborators: Margarida Macieira, Nicolas Ventura
Research phase dance artist: Kylie Miller
Voirelia thanks the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and Metro Vancouver’s Regional Cultural Grants program for supporting the creation of this work.
About the work: De/Formed Revival blends contemporary dance with Renaissance art and sculpture visuals as three dancers take you on a journey of transformation. Using the metaphor of sculptures coming to life, this work asks: how do we emerge from a mould that someone else has built around us? Can we really let go of the past that holds the weight of centuries? Or are we doomed to repeat the tragic mistakes of those who shaped us? The dance explores how roles and identities are transported through time and the struggle to let go. We search for a candle in the dark – a hope for change.
About Voirelia Dance Hub: Voirelia Dance Hub is a non-profit contemporary dance company founded in 2017. Our mission is to create contemporary dance that provokes thought and invites dialogue. Voirelia’s events aim to create a space for artists, scholars, and the public to connect through the medium of dance, creating bridges between communities. We encourage people to make dance and art a part of their everyday life. Voirelia’s vision is to help build a local community culture where performing arts flourish and creativity in the community thrives.
To learn more about Voirelia, go to voirelia.com or follow us on Instagram @Voirelia.
Photos by Adrian Ortega