METAMORPHOSIS (PERFORMANCE IN THE PARK)

2021

composition for voices, instruments, space, and choreography of movement

duration: varied

below: documentation of the premiere of performance/installation Metamorphosis at the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko. Film documentation by Piotr Czyż

Credits

composed and choreographed by Monika Weiss

performance participants in the Sculpture Park of the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko: Dana Augustyniak, Sara Augustyniak, Justyna Benek-Augustyniak, Natalia Bielucha, Renata Czubak, Kamila Gaiecka, Lucyna Gawoń, Dominika Jańczyk, Genowef Akleta, Paulina Kaluga, Natalia Karpeta, Aleksandra Kiljanek, Kuba kosiński, Matysia Kosińska, Alicja Kosno, Piotr Lewolion, Kinga Malmon, Monika Mamińska-Domagalska, Zofia Nowacka- Maja Oiub, Mnie Sonta, Ania Szeleberger, Aga Toruń, Katarzyna Tyczyńska, Anna Wilkiewicz, Kacper Wojda

Special thanks to Kuba Kosiński and Anna Wilkiewicz for support in organizing the performers

Artist Statement

Metamorphosis (performance in a park) is an installation and sound composition evoking the moment in which Daphne, the mythological nymph, self-transforms into a tree in order to escape rape. The work includes vocal and instrumental sound and choreography of movement. Intended to be performed in a park, the piece changes depending on the site of the performance and the number of participants, as well as chosen duration.

Metamorphosis (performance in a park) premiered at Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko in 2021. I divided the space of the park in Orońsko into 4 sound sections corresponding with 4 zones of the park. The titles of the zones are the same as the titles of 4 movement of an electronic sound work, which I composed separately. Each section-zone of the park was occupied by a group of performers, standing in specific places which I selected for each person. Participants maintained repetitive short musical phrases in a prepared/choreographed but also improvisational way.

In preparation for the performance I worked with each participant individually. Every participant was given a short written melody. In cases of untrained musically individuals, we rehearsed to memorize the phrases by ear. During the performance, I guided vocalists and instrumentalists with silent gestures as I wondered through the park. A selected group of volunteers helped to maintain silence among the audience members, who could choose to slowly walk through the installation or to stay on the periphery of the sonic field. Natural pauses to breathe or moments of silence to rest are part of the project.

- Monika Weiss

Review Excerpt

Looking at the trees in the Orońsko park now, I feel that each of them can be a transformed woman, escaping from rape and violence. Again, human being and nature became one, but on a completely different level of meaning. Maybe from now on I will always look at trees in this way…

- Elżbieta Lubomirska in Subiektywna Rozmowy o Sztuce, 2021

Exhibitions

Monika Weiss: Metamorphosis, Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko, 2021, curated by Weronika Elertowska