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!

Aurora Borealis. By Matthieu Hollaender & Pierre Caillet

Igor is small. He is a member of an Inuit community. One evening, he was playing by himself not far from the family home. Suddenly he rushed home to talk to his grandfather.

“Grandpa, I think the Gods are sending us a message!”

“What are you saying my little boy? What did you see?”

“I saw a big spot of color spreading in the sky! What was it grandpa?

“Come and sit beside me, next to the fire, I'll tell you the story of this mystery. You are now old enough to understand.”

They huddle together under the caribou skin.

“There are a lot of stories about this extraordinary thing you have seen; each country has its explanation, different from ours, but they are all wrong! Look at our neighbors, they are real poets! They think that a fox wanders through the Arctic snow and lights up the sky thanks to its tail sowing sparks of snow, giving off colors. And the fishermen of the Ice Lakes believe that it is the reflection of herring scales on the water! For the Inuit from the south of Alaska, those of the Yukon River, this special light in the sky simply represents the souls of deer, salmon, seal or beluga dancing. But this light also represents a threat. That is why they hunt it with their knives. To discourage their children from playing outside too late, their parents tell them that this special light will catch them, cut off their heads and play soccer with their heads! Of course it’s not true, don’t worry, it’s a silly superstition!”

“So, what’s the real reason, Grandad?”

“As you know, the sun is guarded by the God Odor and the moon is protected by Elanore. They fight each other because they both want to rule the world. That is why there is a period of darkness followed by a period of light. We have been in darkness for 4 months now. It’s the same every year. It’s because of a trick played by Elanore on Odor. She hides Odor’s light. The colored spots that you saw are stardust from Odor’s torch; he is looking in all the nooks and crannies for his sun. These spots do not last forever in the sky because the sun god is careful not to get caught by Elanore. That is why it changes place quite very often.”

“I am going out to help Odor find his sun, Grandad!”

“Oh, no you're not! You go to bed now. You can help him tomorrow find his sun…”

Igor went to bed, and he dreamt of stars...

A heated debate on the nature of fire... By Simon Amado, Joachim Huon De Kermadec & Hugo Madebène

Diwali

> Hindu festival of light...

Hanukkah

> Jewish festival of light

Candlemas

> Originally a pagan festival of light...

Las Luminarias

Photos from The Guardian

Christmas lights. Poem by Juliette De Keyser & Adélaïde Cassière

Fading sunset dives behind the city glow

Daylight changes suddenly into peach tones to warm up alleys

Soon darkness will cast its shadows

Opening the way for myriads of lights to shine brightly

And let the enchantment flow throughout the city.

Families stroll amid the bright streets

To admire the lights of Joy

Countless shops, glittering windows of all colours

Full of magic and decorations.

Light garlands are as brightening as smiles.

The children are delighted, running and laughing.

Lively gleams of joy are in their eyes,

Enthrall by the wonderful ornaments

While the moon and stars

Are entwined in a cloudless sky.

Houses are warm and cosy.

Children, parents, families and friends

Reunited again at the same table.

Candle’s soft and flickering flame warms up their hearts

And creates a dreamlike atmosphere.

The chimney’s comforting fire

Illuminates hearts and spirit.

While, eyes are reflecting all those lovely colours.

The light of Hope enlightens the souls,

Christmas magic has operated.