I AM (K)NOT
Concept and performance by Ana Jordão
Music composition by Hugo Vasco Reis
Light design by Andrea Salustri
Text from 'Tabacaria' by Álvaro de Campos
Duration: 55 minutes
Inspired by Tabacaria, a poem by Álvaro de Campos, I AM (K)NOT unites circus and dance to create a poetic universe that oscillates between obscurity and solace, between chaos and grace, between tranquillity and disquiet. The movements of a rope, used either vertically, in the air, and on the ground, originate a unique and authentic language, the voice of a character who wanders eternally in the world of thought.
In dialogue with the strings that hold us, that limit our access, but that also hold and contain us, that help us to climb beyond our dreams and wildest thoughts, I AM (K)NOT is a delicate reflection on the fragility of the human condition and the idea of the constant transformation of the physical and emotional states of each one of us, distinct individuals, in our journeys of constant transformation...
A knot. A thread unraveled. A line transforming. A trace fleeting. A body. A shadow. A home... A rope follows a character in what could be an instant or an eternity of thoughts...
In dialogue with the strings that hold us, that limit our access, but that also hold and contain us, that help us to climb beyond our dreams and wildest thoughts, I AM (K)NOT is a delicate reflection on the fragility of the human condition and the idea of the constant transformation of the physical and emotional states of each one of us, distinct individuals, in our journeys of constant transformation...
A knot. A thread unraveled. A line transforming. A trace fleeting. A body. A shadow. A home... A rope follows a character in what could be an instant or an eternity of thoughts...
Supported by:
Espace Périphérique (FR) I Berlin Circus Productions (DE) I Espace Catastrophe (BE) I Espaço do Tempo (PT) I Latitude 50 (BE) I CIRQUEON (CZ) I Initiative Neuer Zirkus e.V. (DE) I Circus Next: Labs (FR) I Nunart (ES) I Katakomben Center for Performing Arts (DE) I Jackson's Lane (UK)
Espace Périphérique (FR) I Berlin Circus Productions (DE) I Espace Catastrophe (BE) I Espaço do Tempo (PT) I Latitude 50 (BE) I CIRQUEON (CZ) I Initiative Neuer Zirkus e.V. (DE) I Circus Next: Labs (FR) I Nunart (ES) I Katakomben Center for Performing Arts (DE) I Jackson's Lane (UK)
Artistic Outside Eyes:
Michel Cerda, Darragh McLoughlin, Ben Richter, Daniel Görich, Roberto Magro, Roman Müller, Gustavo Hjerl, Julia Christ.
Michel Cerda, Darragh McLoughlin, Ben Richter, Daniel Görich, Roberto Magro, Roman Müller, Gustavo Hjerl, Julia Christ.
TOUR HISTORY
CASA FERNANDO PESSOA, Lisbon, October 2021
"A rope can serve to arrest or to hold, to tie or to connect. Ana Jordão works in contemporary circus and brings the rope to the auditorium of Casa Fernando Pessoa, presenting an excerpt of her piece which is inspired by the poem "Tabacaria" by Álvaro de Campos, connecting the body to what remains of the verses."
"A rope can serve to arrest or to hold, to tie or to connect. Ana Jordão works in contemporary circus and brings the rope to the auditorium of Casa Fernando Pessoa, presenting an excerpt of her piece which is inspired by the poem "Tabacaria" by Álvaro de Campos, connecting the body to what remains of the verses."
INSEL IM WEITEN MEER - Circus Schatzinsel, Berlin, August 2020
A long time away from the magic of the stage lights, I AM (K)NOT is back as a short version - this time a white rope tells one of many little stories that compose this wonderful evening. On the "island in the wide sea" sounds become stories, fish cavort between the trees and a circus tent becomes a mirror of longings. Silently the audience is led into a fantastic reality with electronic sounds, poetry on a vertical rope, absurd object theatre, dance in a hoop and cello sounds.
A long time away from the magic of the stage lights, I AM (K)NOT is back as a short version - this time a white rope tells one of many little stories that compose this wonderful evening. On the "island in the wide sea" sounds become stories, fish cavort between the trees and a circus tent becomes a mirror of longings. Silently the audience is led into a fantastic reality with electronic sounds, poetry on a vertical rope, absurd object theatre, dance in a hoop and cello sounds.
A FILM KNOT MADE - VIDEO EXPERIMENT, Porto, November 2019
Sometime in 2017, a small team of video enthusiasts gathered around my rope. We spent two beautiful sunny days shooting in several locations around the old Porto aiming to make a short film. We never met again since.
This is a small self-made video experiment with some recovered footage from a longer film that was never made...
Camera by Jan Kleinpeter
Location scouring by Sergio Carvalho
Sometime in 2017, a small team of video enthusiasts gathered around my rope. We spent two beautiful sunny days shooting in several locations around the old Porto aiming to make a short film. We never met again since.
This is a small self-made video experiment with some recovered footage from a longer film that was never made...
Camera by Jan Kleinpeter
Location scouring by Sergio Carvalho
ZEITGENÖSSISCHER ZIRKUS WUK, Vienna, January 2019
A three day festival with focus on contemporary circus, featuring four different productions from German-speaking countries. All artists work at the interface of circus performance and other art disciplines (dance, visual arts, literature, film) and thus offer the public new perspectives on the artistic potential of this emerging art form. The entrance area also shows thematically related installations.
Curated by KreativKultur.
This time again, "I am (k)not" is a dream team of three, Ana, Vincent Kollar (rigger) and Andrea Salustri (light design).
Read a review of "I am (k)not" here.
A three day festival with focus on contemporary circus, featuring four different productions from German-speaking countries. All artists work at the interface of circus performance and other art disciplines (dance, visual arts, literature, film) and thus offer the public new perspectives on the artistic potential of this emerging art form. The entrance area also shows thematically related installations.
Curated by KreativKultur.
This time again, "I am (k)not" is a dream team of three, Ana, Vincent Kollar (rigger) and Andrea Salustri (light design).
Read a review of "I am (k)not" here.
PALÁCIO FOZ, Lisbon, October 2018
"I am (k)not" for the first time as a live collaboration with Hugo Vasco Reis, a performance - concert of acousmatic music. We invested on creating an immersive experience, with surround sound of eight speakers, some blind folds, the usual sweet-sour chocolate and the magnificent setting of the 18th century mirror room of Palácio Foz.
"I am (k)not" for the first time as a live collaboration with Hugo Vasco Reis, a performance - concert of acousmatic music. We invested on creating an immersive experience, with surround sound of eight speakers, some blind folds, the usual sweet-sour chocolate and the magnificent setting of the 18th century mirror room of Palácio Foz.
LA BECQUÉE, FESTIVAL EUROPÉEN DE DANSE CONTEMPORAINE, Brest, September 2018
The great pleasure of having my good friend Vincent Kollar as a rigger by my side this time! ... It (almost) feels like having a team!!!
It's a small victory that "I am (k)not" gets invited to a dance festival, alongside names such as Chloé Moglia, Oona Doherty and Olivier de Sagazan, whose work continues to strike me.
The great pleasure of having my good friend Vincent Kollar as a rigger by my side this time! ... It (almost) feels like having a team!!!
It's a small victory that "I am (k)not" gets invited to a dance festival, alongside names such as Chloé Moglia, Oona Doherty and Olivier de Sagazan, whose work continues to strike me.
COLLABORATION WITH COMPOSER HUGO VASCO REIS, Lisbon, August 2018
"I am (k)not" became the inspiration for six works of acousmatic music composed by Hugo Vasco Reis. The creative process develops through the relation between expressiveness, gesture and movement. Between the rhythm of the body and the memory.
Sound engineering by António Pinheiro da Silva.
Photograph by Cláudio Garrudo
Supported by DGArtes, Antena 2 and Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa.
You can listen to it and buy the CD here.
"I am (k)not" became the inspiration for six works of acousmatic music composed by Hugo Vasco Reis. The creative process develops through the relation between expressiveness, gesture and movement. Between the rhythm of the body and the memory.
Sound engineering by António Pinheiro da Silva.
Photograph by Cláudio Garrudo
Supported by DGArtes, Antena 2 and Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa.
You can listen to it and buy the CD here.
"WELT OHNE AUSSEN" EXHIBITION AT GROPIUS BAU, Berlin, July 2018
Curated by Thomas Oberender and Tino Sehgal, the exhibition traces a development from the pioneers of immersive installations to contemporary artistic practices, bringing together a wide range of art forms and disciplines. “Welt ohne Außen” features art works spanning from the late 60s to the present day, together with live works and workshops.
In this new, less theatrical context, and as one of the 'live works, "I am knot" became a performance/lecture: stripped down from light design, dance floor, hanging point and a clear sitting arrangement, the piece transformed into an even more immersive experience for the audience. A small moment of explaining the background of the research conducted for this piece seemed to help people dive in a little deeper into the 'i am knot' universe...
Curated by Thomas Oberender and Tino Sehgal, the exhibition traces a development from the pioneers of immersive installations to contemporary artistic practices, bringing together a wide range of art forms and disciplines. “Welt ohne Außen” features art works spanning from the late 60s to the present day, together with live works and workshops.
In this new, less theatrical context, and as one of the 'live works, "I am knot" became a performance/lecture: stripped down from light design, dance floor, hanging point and a clear sitting arrangement, the piece transformed into an even more immersive experience for the audience. A small moment of explaining the background of the research conducted for this piece seemed to help people dive in a little deeper into the 'i am knot' universe...
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE SOLOS, Póvoa de Varzim, November 2017
FIS is a festival built by a team of critical and engaged characters, and focuses specifically on the "solo" format: the channeling of all creative and performance responsibility, power and imagination through a single body. In the eery setting of the sub-stage, this was probably my best performance so far, and my very first experience with a standing ovation!
FIS is a festival built by a team of critical and engaged characters, and focuses specifically on the "solo" format: the channeling of all creative and performance responsibility, power and imagination through a single body. In the eery setting of the sub-stage, this was probably my best performance so far, and my very first experience with a standing ovation!
ESPACE PÉRIPHÉRIQUE RESIDENCY, Paris, November 2017
I finally had the chance to officially invite Julia Christ (outside eye) and Andrea Salustri (light design) to give their magic touch to the piece. An intense process of re-questioning and re-experimenting brought some new delicate nuances... it's all about the details!!!
I finally had the chance to officially invite Julia Christ (outside eye) and Andrea Salustri (light design) to give their magic touch to the piece. An intense process of re-questioning and re-experimenting brought some new delicate nuances... it's all about the details!!!
MOSTRA DE ARTES DE RUA, Sines, 22 September 2017
In the setting of one of the oldest ports of Portugal, Teatro do Mar invites "I am (k)not" to participate in the second edition of M.A.R. street arts festival. It gathers international artist with the aim to create artistic exchange and to value the historical heritage of the region while promoting street arts. Performing outside and for a younger audience transforms the piece into a more playful and whimsical performance!
In the setting of one of the oldest ports of Portugal, Teatro do Mar invites "I am (k)not" to participate in the second edition of M.A.R. street arts festival. It gathers international artist with the aim to create artistic exchange and to value the historical heritage of the region while promoting street arts. Performing outside and for a younger audience transforms the piece into a more playful and whimsical performance!
ESPACE CATASTROPHE RESIDENCY, Brussels, June 2017
This was mostly a writing residency where i worked on the idea of distorting the original poem to create a dialogue between the contradictory sides of the character; turning the poem upside down and inside out into a dialogue that embodies the arguably schizophrenic state of it's author, to create material for the vocal part of the soundscape of the piece.
Gustavo Hjerl was my counterpart for this journey of linguistic prestidigitations!
This was mostly a writing residency where i worked on the idea of distorting the original poem to create a dialogue between the contradictory sides of the character; turning the poem upside down and inside out into a dialogue that embodies the arguably schizophrenic state of it's author, to create material for the vocal part of the soundscape of the piece.
Gustavo Hjerl was my counterpart for this journey of linguistic prestidigitations!
ESPAÇO DO TEMPO RESIDENCY, Montemor-o-Novo, February 2017
Espaço do Tempo is a residency space set inside the cloisters of a 16th century convent, surrounded by a medieval castle; in a place that is so evocative of our imagination, I invited the mentalist multi-instrumentalist Pedro Castanheira to experiment with the creation of a soundscape for the piece. Creativity was unleashed in many new unexpected directions!!! A collaboration to be continued...
Espaço do Tempo is a residency space set inside the cloisters of a 16th century convent, surrounded by a medieval castle; in a place that is so evocative of our imagination, I invited the mentalist multi-instrumentalist Pedro Castanheira to experiment with the creation of a soundscape for the piece. Creativity was unleashed in many new unexpected directions!!! A collaboration to be continued...
CIRQUEON RESIDENCY, Prague, December 2016
The liberating situation of living and working in complete independence for two weeks... hard to work alone - every question leads to more questions, the process of zooming into the construction of every scene reveals more and more complexity... work in progress... progress in work!
The liberating situation of living and working in complete independence for two weeks... hard to work alone - every question leads to more questions, the process of zooming into the construction of every scene reveals more and more complexity... work in progress... progress in work!
AERIAL ARTS FESTIVAL GALA, Berlin / Frankfurt, October 2016
In the opening and closing Gala of the first edition of the Aerial Arts Festival I performed and extract of "Between the Lines" called "I am (k)not".
"One of the most innovative young aerial artists in Europe" Jana Korb
In the opening and closing Gala of the first edition of the Aerial Arts Festival I performed and extract of "Between the Lines" called "I am (k)not".
"One of the most innovative young aerial artists in Europe" Jana Korb
BERLIN CIRCUS FESTIVAL, August 2016
Once again a pleasure to be part of this great festival, made with love by a team of dedicated people, family and friends! They have promoting my work since i last performed at the "work in progress" evening last year, so it's with great honor that I came to show the latest developments of my work, now as short format!
Once again a pleasure to be part of this great festival, made with love by a team of dedicated people, family and friends! They have promoting my work since i last performed at the "work in progress" evening last year, so it's with great honor that I came to show the latest developments of my work, now as short format!
STADT FÜR EINE NACHT, fabrik Potsdam, July 2016
This event was selection of contemporary circus, dance and performance pieces, extracts of longer works. In a cathartic urge, I decided to experiment with the scene of 'cutting the rope', and to bring it to the stage for the first time! Here, the character climbs the rope with a pair of scissors and cuts the rope (and herself!) down. We have all fallen in our dreams...
This event was selection of contemporary circus, dance and performance pieces, extracts of longer works. In a cathartic urge, I decided to experiment with the scene of 'cutting the rope', and to bring it to the stage for the first time! Here, the character climbs the rope with a pair of scissors and cuts the rope (and herself!) down. We have all fallen in our dreams...
SILENCE FESTIVAL, Kittilä, Finland, June 2016
Promoted by the team of Berlin Circus Festival (Josa Kölbel and Johannes Hilliger), "Between the Lines" was brought to the seventh edition of the Silence Festival in Lapland. An adventure involving delayed fights, 15-hour-long train journeys into stormy Lapland, snow in June, drilling holes through the ceiling to make a hanging point and lots of celebrating ... all framed by the nightless night!
Promoted by the team of Berlin Circus Festival (Josa Kölbel and Johannes Hilliger), "Between the Lines" was brought to the seventh edition of the Silence Festival in Lapland. An adventure involving delayed fights, 15-hour-long train journeys into stormy Lapland, snow in June, drilling holes through the ceiling to make a hanging point and lots of celebrating ... all framed by the nightless night!
"APÉRO DES ARTISTES", Espace Périphérique, Paris, April 2016
Organised by La Villette and Hors Les Murs, "Apéro des Artistes" is a meeting where eight emerging circus companies are invited to talk about their projects and share their needs (in terms of production, residency and creation) to a small group pf programmers.
This event was part of CircoStrada's event Fresh Circus #3 - Moving Borders.
Organised by La Villette and Hors Les Murs, "Apéro des Artistes" is a meeting where eight emerging circus companies are invited to talk about their projects and share their needs (in terms of production, residency and creation) to a small group pf programmers.
This event was part of CircoStrada's event Fresh Circus #3 - Moving Borders.
NETZWERKTREFFEN NEUER CIRCUS, MUCCA, Munich, March 2016
Led by Roman Müller, this collective residency was a chance to dive back into the creation of Between the Lines, after a break of four months where I focused on other work. It was an intense experience of devoting time not only to refine the creative methods, the content and the dramaturgy of the piece, but also to share and discuss with the other artists.
I also took the chance to try out an idea for a new act!...
Led by Roman Müller, this collective residency was a chance to dive back into the creation of Between the Lines, after a break of four months where I focused on other work. It was an intense experience of devoting time not only to refine the creative methods, the content and the dramaturgy of the piece, but also to share and discuss with the other artists.
I also took the chance to try out an idea for a new act!...
CIRCUS NEXT LAB, Festival de Circo do Brasil, November 2015
Led by Jean Michel Guy, Albin Warette and Maria Paula Costa Rêgo, this lab was an opportunity for the group (composed of three projects from Circus Next: Labs and 14 local circus artists) to work collectively on each of the artistic proposals, sharing skills, developing concepts and experimenting with and developing the content of each project. In the context of Festival de Circo do Brasil.
Led by Jean Michel Guy, Albin Warette and Maria Paula Costa Rêgo, this lab was an opportunity for the group (composed of three projects from Circus Next: Labs and 14 local circus artists) to work collectively on each of the artistic proposals, sharing skills, developing concepts and experimenting with and developing the content of each project. In the context of Festival de Circo do Brasil.
"I AM KNOT" AT BERLlN CIRCUS FESTIVAL, September 2015
In the first edition of the Berlin Circus Festival, I performed "Between the Lines" in an evening dedicated to the showing of works in progress from emerging contemporary circus artists.
In the first edition of the Berlin Circus Festival, I performed "Between the Lines" in an evening dedicated to the showing of works in progress from emerging contemporary circus artists.
"FOCUS ON DIRECTING: LAB", Circus Village, Oslo, August 2015
A laboratory led by Bauke Lievens, Daniel Gulko and Sverre Waage, focusing on the structure, dramaturgy and content of the performance project. We worked with the Feedback Method developed by DasArts: an unique method which allows for an objective attitude toward professional group working through giving and receiving feedback on each work, while expanding the boundaries of the process of learning.
A laboratory led by Bauke Lievens, Daniel Gulko and Sverre Waage, focusing on the structure, dramaturgy and content of the performance project. We worked with the Feedback Method developed by DasArts: an unique method which allows for an objective attitude toward professional group working through giving and receiving feedback on each work, while expanding the boundaries of the process of learning.
"EN CONSTRUCCIÓ", Central del Circ, Barcelona, August 2015
Working with Roberto Magro as outside eye, and taking the chance to step outside the existing structure of the piece. The intention here was to bring an element of color, lightness and joy into the narrative, and to see how that can bring more clarity, contrast and an new dimension to the emotional voyage of the character in the piece.
Working with Roberto Magro as outside eye, and taking the chance to step outside the existing structure of the piece. The intention here was to bring an element of color, lightness and joy into the narrative, and to see how that can bring more clarity, contrast and an new dimension to the emotional voyage of the character in the piece.
NUNART RESIDENCY, Barcelona, July 2015
Three week research residency and public presentation in NunArt, an arts collective and a space for the investigation, training, creation and diffusion of contemporary performative arts.
Here is an article about my work from Barcelona Cultura.
Three week research residency and public presentation in NunArt, an arts collective and a space for the investigation, training, creation and diffusion of contemporary performative arts.
Here is an article about my work from Barcelona Cultura.
COLLABORATION WITH VIDEO ARTIST ALEX ZAMPINI, Beelitz, June 2014
Somewhere in the outskirts of Berlin I found an abandoned house filled with magic dust and a special light in some hidden corners...
One day in June 2014 I came back there with my rope, a film maker and some ideas for an improvisation/research mission.
This is a glimpse of what happened.
This film has been screened at:
- Primomaggio Festival, Verona, Italy (2015)
- Emergent Festival, Berlin, Germany (2015)
- Screen Motion festival, London, UK (2015)
- Fun Fatale Festival Screening, Prague (2018)
More of Alex Zampini's work here.
Somewhere in the outskirts of Berlin I found an abandoned house filled with magic dust and a special light in some hidden corners...
One day in June 2014 I came back there with my rope, a film maker and some ideas for an improvisation/research mission.
This is a glimpse of what happened.
This film has been screened at:
- Primomaggio Festival, Verona, Italy (2015)
- Emergent Festival, Berlin, Germany (2015)
- Screen Motion festival, London, UK (2015)
- Fun Fatale Festival Screening, Prague (2018)
More of Alex Zampini's work here.
TRANSMIT RESIDENCY, Jackson's Lane, London, March 2014
A one week residency at the wonderful theatre of Jackson's Lane where I worked on the first 15 min version of the piece.
Transmit is a new program of shorter works by emerging artists from the contemporary circus world, all supported by Jackson's Lane.
A one week residency at the wonderful theatre of Jackson's Lane where I worked on the first 15 min version of the piece.
Transmit is a new program of shorter works by emerging artists from the contemporary circus world, all supported by Jackson's Lane.
CIRCUSÖGRAPHY IMPRO, Katakomben, Berlin, January 2014
I have always been inspired by photography. How can the presence of a photographer be a creative research tool?
This is an improvisation for the interactive camera eye of Marylka Börresen.
Photo shoot took place at Katakomben Center for Performing Arts.
I have always been inspired by photography. How can the presence of a photographer be a creative research tool?
This is an improvisation for the interactive camera eye of Marylka Börresen.
Photo shoot took place at Katakomben Center for Performing Arts.
"TABACARIA", ZirCouplet, Berlin, December 2013
Where it all began! This was the first stage experiment for creation of the longer piece; in this act I aimed to capture the atmosphere of the 'Tabacaria' (original title of the poem) by exploring the character's relationship with the rope, how it can illustrate distance and separation, the unraveling of a knot, and the possibilities of the language of the object (rope) on the floor as well as in the air.
Where it all began! This was the first stage experiment for creation of the longer piece; in this act I aimed to capture the atmosphere of the 'Tabacaria' (original title of the poem) by exploring the character's relationship with the rope, how it can illustrate distance and separation, the unraveling of a knot, and the possibilities of the language of the object (rope) on the floor as well as in the air.
