pearl simply
pearl simply by karen foss quiet works was the first part of a trilogy consisting of pearl simply, quiet red and europa woman. A full-length performance using 3-4 dancers, text, music/sound, theatre light and stage.
Information
(Objekt ID 2003)| Object type | Production |
| Premiere | October 1, 2002 |
| Produced by | karen foss quiet works |
| Coproducers | BIT Teatergarasjen, Carte Blanche |
| Audience | Adults, Youth (from 10) |
| Language | English |
| Keywords | Multidisciplinary, Performance, Contemporary dance |
| Running period | October 1, 2002 |
Requirements to venue
| Minimum stage width | 8m |
| Minimum stage depth | 8m |
| Minimum stage height | 7m |
| Blackout | Yes |
| Rigging time | 600 minutes |
pearl simply viewed and reviewed the eye of the beholder and subjective perceptions of beauty. A pearl was created by the oyster’s layers of lustrous secretion around an invading grain of sand. The production pearl simply, the first part of the pearl trilogy, was structured in a similar way to the pearl - its richness of layers creates many associations and aesthetic forms. In part inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando and its vast time span, pearl simply used this concept of time to create a space for the spectator to contemplate and practice reflection. Another salient feature of the piece was its very sensual form: careful lighting and costuming, scents, chamber music by Beethoven and a quietly appealing soundscore with a simple and poetic text.
pearl simply by karen foss quiet works received support from The Arts Council Norway, The Audiovisual Fund and The Fund for Performing Artists in Norway.
Source: karen foss quiet works, karenfossquietworks.no, 01.08.2010, http://www.karenfossquietworks.no/prod.html
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Karen Foss | – Text |
| Karen Foss | – Concept/Idea |
| Karen Foss | – Concept/Idea |
| Karen Foss | – Choreography |
| Katrine Nylund | – Stage design |
| Katrine Nylund | – Costume design |
| Frode Breivik | – Sound design |
| Jørgen Knudsen | – Sound design |
| Stephen Rolfe | – Lighting design |
| Sigve Sælensminde | – Lighting design |
| Suzie Davies | – Dancer |
| Karen Foss | – Dancer |
| Therese Skauge | – Dancer |
| Henriette Slorer | – Dancer |
| Ann-Christin Danhammar | – Producer |
| Indrani Balgobin | – Other |
| Robert Roespel | – Other |
| Henriette Slorer | – Other |
| February 21, 2003 | Show |
| October 13, 2002 – Danseteatret / Turnhallen, Carte Blanche (Oktoberdans) | Show |
| October 12, 2002 – Danseteatret / Turnhallen, Carte Blanche (Oktoberdans) | Show |
| October 1, 2002 | Worldwide premiere |
| Oktoberdans | October 12, 2002 |
"The gaze of both male, female and peeping Tom is titillated, turned around and given new focus. The performance is fruity, thoughtful and loaded with energy – a great achievement for Karen Foss and her dancers. Foss has also written the text, which she delivers with a sense of rhythm, rhyme and crisp one-liners." (2002, 14.10). Bergens Tidende
"The dancers and music melt together in an atmosphere of tenderness and fragility... In pearl simply there is a lot of sensuality that is beautifully and sensitively developed." (2002, 14.02). Aftenposten
"With an obstinate expression on her face, Karen Foss questions the relationship between beauty, the subjective eye and conventional truths. At the same time, she presents a delightful allegory of beauty on a stage where the baroque blends with the modern through the costumes, sound and movement. Karen knows where she is going and what she wants to convey, and she does so with an energy, willpower and communicative strength that surprises the senses and stimulates the intellect." (2003, 25.02). Klassekampen