LLouise
A Créa-Théâtre production
A scenic form that brings together puppetry, manipulation, dance/movement and digital arts.
With the support of the Centre de la Marionnette de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the Fabrique de Théâtre - Service des arts de la Scène de la Province de Hainaut, the Théâtre des Doms, the Jardin Parallèle de Reims, the Maison de la Culture de Tournai – SACD writing grant
LLouise is inspired by the life and work of French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. On stage, objects allude to some of the artist's works. It is then a sensitive journey that begins with a dancer who, upon entering into contact with the objects, questions the impact of childhood, relationships, the role of the mother, the woman, the artist. Then the confusion leads to new impressions with the images, the dancing body and Louise's double.
For Louise Bourgeois, performing “Ode à ma mère” (Ode to my mother) with a spider was very important because it was the starting point for all her "Spiders". It denotes discipline, protection, self-defence, and fragility.A giant motorised spider gradually comes to life on the stage, leading up to the moment of confrontation and discovery: daring to touch, to push away, to caress the animal, as if to overcome the limits of one's fears, one's anger, one's own experiences, until it becomes possible to reach the moment of reconciliation. A singular journey to the heart of a world where puppets, manipulation, dance/movement and digital arts come together in unity.
Cast & Crew
Designed, written and directed by Françoise Flabat
Dancer: Coralie Meinguet (Camille Mariage – 1st phase of creation)
Videos – Set design - Motorisation: Nicolas-Adrien Houtteman
Naked puppet / Puppet : Christine Corman
Spider puppet : Françoise Flabat
Louise puppet : Matt Jackson
Technical support : Fred Berthe
Photo : Thomas Bohl
Teaser: Nicolas-Adrien Houtteman
A Créa-Théâtre production with the support of the Centre de la Marionnette de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the Fabrique de Théâtre - Service des arts de la Scène de la Province de Hainaut, the Théâtre des Doms, the Jardin Parallèle de Reims, the Maison de la Culture de Tournai – SACD writing grant.
Intentions
Sometimes the work of artists leaves such a strong impression that it disturbs us to the point that it continues to linger in our minds. A rational explanation cannot always be found for the strong impression that a work provokes. Sometimes it is only the emotion provoked at the time of perception that imprints itself on us and we are inclined to always want to re-explore that particular moment of disturbance in our mind, our heart, our vision. Often it is the momentary state of our personal life that influences whether or not we are touched or impervious to the artistic gesture of others.
In Louise Bourgeois' work, it is also her own questioning of life and its relationships that nourish the impression. Choosing specific sculptures, drawings and words to submit to our bodies in movement is an invitation to enter the world of an artist to address questions that concern us all : family, the image of the mother, the image of the father, the role of femininity, love, violence, fears, resilience, memories of the past and life that goes on. These questions are sometimes paradoxical or contrasting.It is therefore a journey in movement around immobile works that take shape. Using the sculptures and drawings as a starting point, we reinvent a living dance and occupy the space of our emotions. It is the work of puppetry to transform the inert into movement.
Puppet - Illusion of a presence
By adding a puppet in the image of Louise Bourgeois to the performance space, we conjure up the illusion of the presence of this inspirational artist who appears to us alive through her works and extracts from documentaries or interviews. In this way, we push the questioning of the paradox of inertia and movement in the experience of interpretations of danced works, projected images, and the micro-movements of the puppet, effigy of the artist's double. The illusion of a presence to fill the physical absence, the void.
Giant Spider
Having taken an interest in technological developments and new forms of puppetry, it seemed relevant to us to explore robotics in a concrete project on stage.
The choice of the oversized giant motorised spider reminds us that we are able to overcome our fears and play with them by changing our vision or point of view, and that a still or dancing body brushing against a strong symbolic object creates new sensations. The spider is the one that weaves the thread between the works and the sequences, as in Louise Bourgeois' journey.
Créa-Théâtre
Since 1978, Créa-Théâtre, a professional theatre company, has left its mark on the world of puppetry through its desire to develop a sense of creation through the forms and content of its performances. This approach is nourished by constantly-renewed aesthetic proposals that are never confined to a particular technique or an identical aesthetic. On the contrary, it always surrounds itself with teams of artists chosen in relation to the texts, the dramaturgy, the form and the staging. With subsidies for the Young Audiences sector between 1985 to 2008, it created shows for all audiences from the age of 2, which were performed in Belgium and on international tours. In 2009, Créa-Théâtre left the Théâtre Jeune Public and became the research and creation unit of the Centre de la Marionnette de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.
Françoise Flabat Scenographer, actor and puppet object manipulator, facilitator/trainer, author. She has participated in nearly thirty creations for the Créa-Théâtre since 1980. Trained in interior architecture/scenography and graduated with a degree in performing arts from the C.E.T.UCL Louvain-La-Neuve.
Nicolas-Adrien Houtteman A multidisciplinary artist, he is interested in all digital techniques. He began engineering studies before switching to interior architecture and object design. He has participated in several creative projects in various forms, such as exhibition scenography, street festival scenography, integration of digital techniques in live performance and immersive installations.
Matt Jackson Makes puppets, masks and other objects for the stage. He makes puppets for various companies and for his own projects. He also facilitates workshops and training courses. www.mattjacksonstudios.com
Coraline Meinguet Dancer, trained in contemporary dance at SEAD (Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance) Austria. Works as a dancer and circus artist for circus, dance, theatre and opera companies and performances in Belgium, France and Italy.
Camille Mariage Dancer trained in classical and contemporary dance at "Danses & Cie" - Solfeggio, piano and singing lessons at Saint Grégoire in Tournai - and in contemporary dance at SEAD (Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance) Austria.
