Ecto-Fictions

22-23.04. 2022
Tanzquartier Wien (TQW) — Halle G, Vienna

Ecto-Fictions is a group choreographic work directed by Ian Kaler, commissioned by Tanzquartier Wien for the PARASOL ensemble. For this production, Kaler revisits the thematic landscape of his 2010 graduation piece Save a horse ride a cowboy, inviting the performers to analyze the nonverbal communication, relational dynamics, and movement practices embedded within equestrian horsemanship and riding.

The performance develops a fictitious, documentary-style stage narrative that interrogates notions of collective togetherness, empathy, and social cohesion. Playing on the concept of an "external" sensory perception, Ecto-Fictions reflects on the complex psychological processes of projection and anthropomorphic ascription that occur when humans encounter animals. The work functions as a choreographic attempt to construct a utopian space for heightened corporealities*, explicitly staging a study of societal attributions, classifications, and boundaries.

Artistic Direction, Choreography, and Text: Ian Kaler
Performance (PARASOL Dancers): Alex Bailey, Camilla Schielin, Júlia Rúbies Subirós, Shahrzad Nazarpour, and Theresa Scheinecker
Music and Soundtrack: Hermione Frank aka rRoxymore
Scenography & Setting: Stephanie Rauch
Costume Design: Johanna Frahm
Lighting Design: Victor Duran
Video Design & Editing: Dafne Narvaez Berlfein
Cinematography: Diara Sow
Voice-Over Speaker: Francine Belinga
Co-production: Ian Kaler and Tanzquartier Wien
Supported by: The City of Vienna (Department of Cultural Affairs), and the NATIONAL PERFORMANCE NETWORK - STEPPING OUT, funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media within the framework of the initiative NEUSTART KULTUR
Specialized Training Workshops: Horsemanship Workshop via Schottenhof – Zentrum für Tiergestützte Pädagogik; Vaulting Workshop by Hanna Tavolato