Photo by Savvas Chrysochoidis.
"Dryas" is an original site-specific and interactive installation-performance which creatively combines street arts, live music and visual arts.
Photo by Savvas Chrysochoidis.
"Dryas" is inspired by ancient Greek mythology and by old Balkanic traditions.
The Dryads were tree nymphs. Old Greek myths recount how, in ancient times, the Dryads' songs resonated in the immense forests of the mountains and how people sought shelter under the shade of centenary trees recognizing omens in the whisper of their leaves.
In today's world, a Dryas reaches out to people and invites them to listen to her song once again, reviving long forgotten feelings and memories.
Photo by Velina Kokalova.
In "Dryas", the audience is encouraged to actively communicate with Dryas and her tree and to form, together with the performer, a ritual loosely based on Baba Marta, an old tradition still followed in Bulgaria, Romania and elsewhere in the Balkans, where trees receive red and white ornaments and offers each spring, in order to ensure health and happiness for the year to come.
People can offer Dryas red ribbons while making a wish, tell her a secret, write her a message or make her a drawing. Dryas responds to the audience through her song and movement, accompanied by "magical" sounds and music.
Photo by Velina Kokalova.
Photo by Velina Kokalova
Photo by Dimitra Theodoridou.
The performer’s continuous flow of movement is inspired by the essence of nature and follows natural visual forms and patterns. The movement is accompanied by live voice improvisation based on traditional Greek songs.
Photo by Savvas Chrysochoidis.
The performer’s voice is captured and processed in real time and is simultaneously accompanied by live electronics that are performed by the two musicians/composers, thus creating a composition that includes pre-recorded as well as live generated sound. The sound materials are based on natural pre-recorded samples, virtual instruments and also incorporate real-time sounds stemming from the audience and the environment.
In this manner, the spectators not only witness and co-create the performance, but they also contribute to a unique live composition, with the performers and audience being transformed into musical instruments.
In this manner, the spectators not only witness and co-create the performance, but they also contribute to a unique live composition, with the performers and audience being transformed into musical instruments.
The continuous interaction between the performer, the audience and the surrounding environment are the key element and the main objective of this performance.
Photo by Dimitra Theodoridou.
"Dryas" was honoured with the award for Individual Outdoors Performance at the 4th Athens International Street Theatre Festival (September 2012).
The performance received an official invitation from the Puppet Fair Festival (Sofia, Bulgaria), for September 2014.
Photo by Velina Kokalova.
For a complete technical plan or if you want to book this show for your festival, please contact Kórinna Latèlis (AérechO Artistic Director) at c_lateli@yahoo.com or at Neeria77@yahoo.com.
Creative team:
Kórinna Latèlis - Initial idea/ Artistic direction/ Costumes // Performance
Costas Mantzoros - Musical composition/ Live electronics // Performance
Nickos Harizanos - Musical composition/ Live electronics // Performance
Nikos Palaiologos - Video/ Video editor
