Suspended lives
Based on various classical and contemporary thinkers, Els ossos de Montaigne reflects on the value of interruption and silence in our routines.
Els ossos de Montaigne, a hybrid stage show directed by Glòria Balañà Altimira, can be seen until 11 June at the Centro de las Artes Libres. It reflects on time coming to an abrupt halt: What happens when something unforeseeable, such as an illness, a war or an accident, alters our lives?
It happened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Suddenly, the world stopped and our lives were thrown into turmoil. In fact, the idea for the project was born then, out of exchanges of reflections and materials generated virtually during the confinement and the weeks immediately after.
The discovery of mortal remains in the basement of the Museum of Aquitaine in Bordeaux that could correspond to Michel de Montaigne prompted the piece to take his figure as its starting point. This 16th century humanist retired from public life for ten years to write his Essais, in which he asked himself how to live life. "We wanted to bring some reflections as close as possible to the spectator on aspects that are directly related to a shared present, such as waiting time, uncertainty, suspension, silence, love and death.
At the moment when their bones are located, the action is suspended and gives way to three female figures and a series of thoughts - sometimes in the original language in which they were written - by Montaigne, but also by Pascal, John Cage, Susan Sontag, Slavoj Zizek, Franco Bifo Berardi or Paul B. Preciado, among others.
Through sound and visual dramaturgy, and physical and choreographic language, the show unites philosophy, theatre and dance to create an intimate experience through headphones. "We want to bring some reflections as close as possible to the spectator on aspects such as waiting time, uncertainty, suspension, silence, love and death", explain the creators.
This project, which is a co-production of the Grec 2022 Festival de Barcelona and has been supported by the Premis Barcelona 2020 Grants, is the result of the union of various talents. Alongside its promoter and director are the playwright and translator Sadurní Vergés, the musician Àlex Polls, the multidisciplinary artist Alfonso Ferri, the lighting designer Sylvia Kuchinow, the costume designer Marta Rafa, the actress Daniela Brown and the dancers and choreographers Marina Fullana and Laura Lliteras.
Tickets for this sensory experience cost 20 euros and can be purchased in advance by clicking here.