Star dust! By Lisa Boissy & Laura Malroux

The Pleiades

“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations” said John Green in The fault in Our Stars. 

A constellation is a group of stars in the celestial sphere which make up a particular form that humans have named. Scientists and astrologers are fond of watching and studying them because they are spectacular, majestic and magical!  Because they are inaccessible, people find them intriguing. There is a mystery about them that inspires not just scientists but artists too…

The constellations have inspired an innovative art project using light and dance: The Pleiades by the dance company Enra.

The choreographer and dancer Yasuku Mochizuki was inspired by the story of the Pleiades. Orion decided to hunt the Pleiades: seven sisters and their mother. To save their lives, the girls implored the Gods who made them first into doves and then into constellations. In the show, we recognize the story.

Mochizuki uses light in all his shows: Torque Starter, Primitive, etc. Light is the Enra trademark.

Primitive

In The Pleiades, combining elements of dance, performance art, music, technology, light and more, the versatile Japanese troupe has made magic. The show tells us an incredible story. Thanks to the stage’s emptiness and simplicity the spectator is flabbergasted by the dancers’ performances. The two graceful dancers, Saya Watatani and Maki Yokoyami, are perfectly coordinated with the light. Light becomes a partner, a friend. During the show, we are always wondering if it is it the dancer who leads the light or the light which leads the dancer.

It is a really original performance. Different constellations are included and are in perfect harmony with the reality. The stage is plunged into darkness, and the only light source is the constellation. So, we are impressed: we can see all the dance figures because the light follows the dancers. Furthermore, Saya and Maki perform in unison and with the light. Everyone has his own interpretation and his own feelings. There dancers make it spectacular, just like the constellations! There is also curiosity: the spectator wants to see more after each move! In fact, all the emotions can be felt: pleasure, satisfaction, excitement...

Here, the light doesn’t only represent the different constellations of the Pleiades, but also the Northern Lights and water splashing. So light is diverted from its principal function. That’s the major characteristic of art, to make us see things differently. The movements are simple, but perfectly done. It’s a delight to the eyes. Moreover, the chief attraction of this show is surely the fact that the dancers seem to control all this light power and, suddenly, it’s dark and we just see the shining constellations.

Torque Starter

Even the people who are not very interested by constellations learn a lot about them, while being happy to learn. Even those not very fond of dance find it interesting because it shows them a new generation of dancers and performances.

“Wow!” is what everyone says after having seen the show. If you have not seen it yet, go!