Spiritus is a work engaging with ideas of ‘resonance’, where resonance is understood as an acoustic phenomenon as well as something describing a relationship. In the performance, the choreographers and dancers Olivia Rivière and Lisen Pousette enter un-set performative situations with body and voice that oscillates, stay responsive and spin off of eachother.

Their practices of resonance originate from whatever voices; the small cries, wet, dry, high pitched forms of ‘screams’ and melodies. While exploring the specific timbre and force, the sounds invoke a variety of textures and gestalts. Spiritus is a play with this as the work taps into the word’s meanings and derivations: breathing, mood, geist as well as alcohol and intoxication.

In Spiritus, states of listening, observing and responding are practiced through their sensing selves. They therefore invite the audience to listen to the subtle nuances in their song, the small exchanges, those that we rarely notice, even though they are so crucial in the approach of a discernible change.

Lisen Pousette (SE) and Olivia Rivière (SE/DK) share a background in classical choir singing and choreography and have made work since 2017 departing from extended vocal techniques. While exploring the materiality of the female-identified voice and its reach, they enter ambiguous states that can tip over into the absurd as much as the vulnerable. Together they have created the duet Ever losing (2019) and the group piece DUNKEL (2022 which have been presented at venues such as Norberg festival, MDT, CinemaQueer and Inkonst (SE) Dansehallerne (DK), Østre (NO), Les Urbaines (CH) and Ufer_Studios (DE). Spiritus had its premiere in January at Weld (SE).

By and with: Olivia Rivière and Lisen Pousette

Music and sound design: Kristian Alexander

Light scenography: Anna Moderato

Dramaturgy: Ida Larsen

Costume: Olivia Rivière and Lisen Pousette

Lights: Olivia Rivière and Lisen Pousette in conversation with Erik Molberg Hansen

Technician: Mali Dönmez

Photo: Kristian Alexander