The Project:
A multimedia installation, created for a second year university project called Movement-Media-Material Exhibition Project, based on Heiner Müller's "Medeaplay".
What was the MMM Project?
The Movement-Media-Material Project invited students to explore the "Medeaplay" text written by Heiner Müller through participating in thorough and in depth research, both theoretical and practical:
- Applying research in installations, performative pieces
- Developing performance and making processes
- Developing filmmaking and editing techniques
- Working individually as well as part of a team
Theory:
My main source of inspiration was the notion of the duality in the meaning, which according to Philip Vellacott in “Ironic Drama: A Study of Euripides’ Method and Meaning” is a main characteristic of drama.
In addition, important source of inspiration were the images presented in Heiner Muller’s “Medeaplay”, as well as the arguments and contrasting opinions that were raised during discussions with peers about the text. Finally very important role played the practical exploration of the text through movement practices with choreographer and perfromer Karla Shacklock, through working with different materials with artist Marie-Louise Jones and through audio-visual techniques with director and co-founder of New Opera Hero, Steff Ungerer.
Concept:
Two faces/masks are placed on a cage instead of a head that holds the mind of a mysterious inhuman creature.
On the one side the cage is well closed on the other it ‘bursts’ onto the wall.
Both faces belong to the same character, Medea...
...one symbolizes happiness, love and protection...
...the other is a representation of cruelty, destruction and death.
The audience looks inside her mind.
Looking through the mask's eyes one sees something different from each façade.
A look through the mask of happiness betrays her dark thoughts...
...while the horrible mask of destruction covers a more feminine and sensual side of her.
Thank you! :)