TSILA
Premiere: Suzanne Dellal Centre, Tel Aviv, March 2012
An interdisciplinary performance that moves between the documentary and the stage, based on the story of Tsila Hayun, who was critically injured and almost lost her life, but rehabilitated and was defined a medical miracle.
With great sensitivity, Tsila agreed to share with choreographer Galit Liss thoughts that surfaced during her rehabilitation process. Out of the great nothingness, she slowly began a dialogue between her intuition and the medical findings and putting together her identity again. Her way of coping that has continued since then raises existential questions about life, the responsibility we have on our life, and how we choose to live it.
The performance incorporates many life materials, mainly the soundtrack mostly built on conversations Galit Liss had with Tsila and the doctors who treated her: Prof. Avi Rivkind, director of the Trauma Unit at Hadassah Medical Center, and Dr. Yossi Chalamish, a brain researcher from the Weizmann Institute of Science who specializes in the realm of emotions. The paper that fills the stage symbolizes Tsila's fragile body. But, it is also revealed as a material that can be used to create new forms and contexts, similar to the neurological bypasses Tsila generated, that changed the neurological form of her brain and helped her rehabilitate.
The encounter between Tsila, who shares her personal story in her own voice, and the components of choreography, sound, video and visual art, invites the spectator to observe life as an artistic act.
Video & Editing: Niv Moshe Ben David
Choreography and Concept: Galit Liss
Story: Tsila Hayun / Performers: Iris Nais-Hadar, Tal Avni
Performance and Paper Art: Hadass Gertman / Soundtrack and Editing: Moshe Shasho / Video: Niv Ben-David
Music: Soledad Villamil, Concha Buika, Carlos Gardel, Tal Avni
Musical Consultant: Tal Avni
Soundtrack: Conversations with Tsila Hayun, Prof. Avi Rivkind
Costumes, Props and Stage Design: Hadass Gertman
Light Design: Uri Rubinstein
Scientific Consultant: Dr. Yossi Chalamish
Performance Manager: Noa Rosenthal
Video Projections: Rimoninio
Graphic Design: Nurit Brande
Photography: Eli Passi
The show was made possible with the support of the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sports, Mifal Hapais (the Israeli Lottery Council for the Art), the Choreographers' Association
Reviews
“Modern dance is bound to fall into dramatics, into idealized obscurity and lack of communication, but here the choreography was so emotive and precise that it functioned as a tangible language… Within just one hour the performance manages to present Hayun’s emotional story, and enables the audience to contain it with love. Not just recommended, but a must-see!”
Michal Kleinberg, Alter life Magazine
“Modern dance is bound to fall into dramatics, into idealized obscurity and lack of communication, but here the choreography was so emotive and precise that it functioned as a tangible language… Within just one hour the performance manages to present Hayun’s emotional story, and enables the audience to contain it with love. Not just recommended, but a must-see!”
Michal Kleinberg, Alter life Magazine
“Video clips projected onto the folds of the back screen that perhaps correspond with the folds of the brain, display the dreams of a woman in a coma… There is a hypnotic, seductive beauty in them… Liss has refined taste, and it is evident that she was selective in her choice of texts. Those of Hayun are particularly powerful… Nais
and Avni’s performances evoke confidence in their natural, almost mundane,
Ruth Eshel, Haaretz