“DiscrimiNATION”. Honestly about what matters

The forthcoming choreographic fantasy, as its authors announce, will tell about various forms of discrimination through a series of, at first glance, seemingly unconnected novella-parables. The premiere of the new ballet  is scheduled for 21 October on the stage of the ICCC (October Palace). The ballet’s choreographer-director Radu Poklitaru tells about the work on the new performance:

• The theme of discrimination will always be relevant. The project «DiscrimiNATION» is being realized thanks to the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation. When I was offered to develop a concept for a new ballet, I was confronted with a limited number of themes that were included in the priorities of the lot programme «Renewal of cultural and artistic activity (cultural and artistic projects)». Having recognized this limitation, I decided to choose directions that emphasize universal human, democratic, cultural and social values, such as the fight against discrimination, the support of tolerance and the counteraction of segregation.
   
• How and did this particular title of the performance emerge at once?
• I spent a lot of time pondering the title for the ballet and in the end kept «DiscrimiNATION», since this title honestly reflects the aim of our project without concealing intentions. I am happy that for the work on the performance I was able to assemble a wonderful team: costume designer Dmytro Kuriata, who has been working with us for more than one project, and every new performance with him is a true bestseller. (This time, by the designer’s idea, the clothing will reflect the cosmopolitanism and urbanization of the modern world in the palette of costumes resembling the colours of a big-city kaleidoscope – the colour of asphalt, concrete and brick – D. K.) Set designer Oleksandr Bilozub creates unique scenographic constructions in the form of letters for our ballet.
   
• Exploring such a complex concept as discrimination may seem a non-obvious choice for the main theme of a large dance performance…
• At the root of all manifestations of discrimination lies the conscious or unconscious desire to make another person’s life unbearable; it is the quintessence of emotional suppression, of the humiliation of the human personality. Dance, in turn, is above all emotional by its very nature. That is why everything vividly emotional in our life, even if with a negative colouring, is a wonderful object for study and reflection through the creation of a choreographic-directorial text – the body of a ballet performance.

Daria Koretska

«Theatrical and Concert Kyiv»