AREAL + nature

17-28.08.2022

bioAREALab is a 10-days artistic research and creative process framework taking place in Bucharest between August 17-28, 2022. This international lab aims to develop stronger connections between choreographers and composers/musicians in a studio/natural environment and process oriented framework following the 2 years of the Covid-19 experience. 

The theme for this interdisciplinary meeting is the connection between sound, body and the natural environment and how movement can influence tsoundscape, while sound influences the body at a much higher level, deeper than what is visible. We are interested in exploring exactly these hidden threads between body, sound/music and nature and what kind of common triggers exist between the three universes. Studies show that the experience of listening to a sound automatically produces a mental image of the moving body, a wave that is visible during the neurological tests, confirming the strong connection between movement and sound. During 10 days, the meetings will be held both in the studio and in a natural environment and around the city of Bucharest where the artists can gather sounds, images and inspiration.

The programme of the bioAREALab, which will take place in the studio of AREAL | space for choreographic development and different natural sites around Bucharest, will include daily rehearsals and talks, field trips in nature/urban environment, evening workshops and improvisations, performances for/with local audience. The Lab will conclude with a hybrid live/online round table and informal sharing process presentation open to the audience.

We are looking for artists willing to get out the comfort zone, ready to explore new means of expression through the arts in dialogue (choreography and contemporary music), as well as with a desire to share their knowledge with other participants.

The project is co-organised by AREAL | space for choreographic development in partnership with Goethe Institut Bucharest and other local partners. Up to 4 foreign choreographers and musicians & composers from Germany (2 artists) and other EU countries will be invited to Bucharest to participate in this new physical dance & music lab together with AREAL choreographers Cristina Lilenfeld and Cosmin Manolescu and RO composer Sabina Ulubeanu.  

The deadline for registration is March 20, 2022 and the selected artists will be announced by the end of March 2022. Participating artists – choreographers, musicians/composers – will receive a fee, perdiem and free accommodation in rented apartments (each artist will have its own room). Travel expenses to Bucharest and health insurance will be in the charge of participants. The application dossier will include a letter of intention, two photos (one portrait and one artistic), video/sound links with own works and a bio/portofolio.

Please send your application to email areal@arealcolectiv.ro by March 20. The second edition of the bioAREALab will take place in spring 2023 in Timișoara, Romania. The Lab is part of AREAL | space for cultural development, a cultural programme co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. For more information please contact Cristina at lilienfeldcristina@gmail.com or Cosmin at cosmin@arealcolectiv.ro. More information about AREAL: https://arealcolectiv.ro/en/, video teaser