Poetics of Gravity
Gravitational waves alter us, pass through us and cause our bones to modulate. The somatic architecture of the piece immerses you in that perception like no other space has ever done before.
In poetics of gravity, a common force appears, one that shapes our bones, pushes and moves us, also sustains and drives us, all of us equally. Gravity is an attraction force. Every time you feel an attraction and every time you feel compelled to be in touch with a surface or a body, you are grounded. Somatic Architecture works with gravity as it puts attractions, surfaces, and bodies into play. We establish an action-reaction dialogue between us and other “bodies” in continuous interactions.
Architecture is not an inert material but also creates bodies, structures of power, ecological cycles, or affective moods. Ali those dynamic forces also “build” architecture, and Somatic Architecture then becomes a performative expression of the dynamic possibilities of architecture.
Somatic Architecture works with desire as an attraction force-as gravity. Without forcing them to, the different organisms function within this architecture together.
Further, this somatic embodiment also has political implications. Unfortunately, not all bodies have the same value in our societies. Some bodies are continually exposed to a supposed groundlessness that is only understood as such by privileged bodies that always feel safe. Some other bodies are not allowed to be grounded because of specific situations of the socio-political environment. Groundlessness, for this reason, is therefore a situated experience. lt is because of this that Somatic Architecture works both, to give support to the more vulnerable bodies and to regulate – through somatic learning and awareness – the excessive requirements of the privileged bodies.
In POETICS OF GRAVITY we design a collection of highly mutable objects that adheres to the bodies of both audience and performers, embodying the vectors and forces that co‑constitute us.
An art‑science investigation centered on the earliest gravitational waves gives rise to a community that, in the face of present‑day polarizations and conflicts, proposes a collective, supportive and loving experience of mutual help and observation. A multiplicity of sensitivities held together by a shared quality.
POETICS OF GRAVITY is a project of art-science directed by Edgardo Mercado as part of the Orillas Nuevas programme. PSAAP collaborates in the creation of a performative installation and its associated workshops. A somatic architecture that forms part of a participatory choreographic piece.
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PSAAP collaborates in this project thanks to the support of the CCEBA (Centro Cultural de España en Buenos Aires)
Mauro Gil-Fournier collaborates with us.
Idea and direction: @garomercado
Performers: @abrilukac @vicmaurizi @ninadecastris @gabiazar_ @cam_bianchi @debondario @valen_caringella
Object design: @maria_gpmlgp (@psaap_l)
Live music and sound design: @j._.bustos
Implementation of object 2: @titi.actriz.costura
Lighting design: @fer_berreta
Assistance: @_bdaniela @bvalido02
Production: @ianimaglia
> Rehearsals at @paseodelasartes tahnks to @fundacion.saba and @fundacion.trespinos
> Thanks to @orillasnuevas, an iniciative of @if_argentine y @franceargentine, with @fundacionwilliams @fundacionmedife
> With the support of @impulsocultural @santander_ar @prodanza_ba
See the credits of the whole project here.
Photography: Federico Pérez Gilardi
Photography in LABA: Santiago Núñez Bonifacino
Images correspond to the performance at LABA and at Museo Campo Cañuelas (Buenos Aires) and to the process in residence at San Antonio de los Cobres Observatory (Salta). Three locations in Argentina.