Dark Field Analysis

Two naked beings in conversation. Men or machines? Body doubles, lovers or strangers? Surrounded on all sides by spectators, the two restless bodies fidget and squirm, complement and transform each other. The choreographer Jefta van Dinther creates a world of shadowy beauty, a mysterious alloy of textures and sounds, colours and movements. Prelude to a new organism.

Dark Field Analysis takes its name from a branch of alternative medicine that uses dark field microscopy to diagnose systemic bodily conditions originating in the blood. Here blood serves as an analogy for looking inwards, into and beyond ourselves. In this poignantly profound intellectual thriller, Jefta van Dinther holds up a mirror that peers into the inscrutable depths of the soul, evoking humanity confronted with artificial intelligence. The lighting magnifies the sculptural forms, disconcerting music invades the space, speech becomes a chant. Our bodies vibrate, our senses are bombarded, the piece becomes a potent psychoactive substance. A licit drug.

Produced by Jefta van Dinther
Choreographed and directed by Jefta van Dinther
Created and performed by Juan Pablo Cámara + Roger Sala Reyner
Lighting Design Minna Tiikkainen
Set Design Cristina Nyffeler
Sound Design David Kiers
Text Jefta van Dinther + Juan Pablo Camara + Roger Sala Reyner

Songs based on The Slow Drug and Horses in my Dreams by PJ Harvey
Choreographer Assistant Thiago Granato
Artistic Advice Gabriel Smeets + Felix Bethge
Technical Coordination Bennert Vancottem
Art Direction Martin Falck
Management Emelie Bergbohm
Production management Annie Kay Schachtel + Ellika Lindström
Distribution Key Performance
Administration Interim kultur AB (svb)

Co-produced by Tanz im August & HAU Hebbel am Ufer (Berlin) + Tanzquartier (Vienna) + Sadler’s Wells (London) + PACT Zollverein (Essen) + Centro Cultural Vila Flor (Guimarães) + Dansens Hus (Oslo)
Funded by Swedish Arts Council + City of Stockholm + Nationales Performance Netz Co-production Fund for Dance (Munich)
With the support of O Espaço do Tempo (Montemor-o-Novo) + Kunstencentrum BUDA (Kortrijk) + Riksteatern – The Swedish National Touring Theatre (Stockholm)

Presented in association with Centre PHI + Théâtre Prospero

Written by Diane Jean
Translated by Neil Kroetsch

Premiered at Tanz im August, Berlin, on August 24, 2017