| Makers | If Circus |
| Duration | 50 min |
| Part of | Cirque Mania |
Melic, the knitted rope is the main character of this project and it is also what gives the name to the piece. Melic is on stage next to their authors, Shalom and Mar, whose bodies compose a symbiosis talking from their shapes and textures. A dialogue between hand-knitted ropes that transform, tighten and loosen, knit and unknit, rock and carry.
Melic is a research from the material which builds the structure, bringing it to the expression and physicality of knitting. It is the range of possibilities that offers the contrast of its resistance and its fragility.
A ritual of preparation allows the dialogue between the very special knitted rope and human bodies when they breathe at the same time. Ropes that make us remember, that support us, connect us and rock us.
Melic not only speaks from the material, it is also the historical memory of post-war women who knitted in the street. Not only did they knit garments, they knitted human relationships as well. Melic is a tribute to the knowledge of grandmothers who have been learning and teaching this beautiful ancient art of knitting.
Shalom Gramiccioli (1998) is a circus and dance artist born in Rome. She studied circus in Tilburg at ACaPA. She has previously worked with Julian Vogel, Hendrik van Maele/TENT, Margot Jansens and Maria Madeira.
Shalom is founder of the company Framing Effekt, which consists of Marius Cavin, Julie Micheneau and Lara Schoental. In 2023, their first work Systema premiered at the Vitrine Festival in Kortrijk. She is also working on her solo Lavanda. Since January 2023, she has been forming If Circus with Mar Olivé; Melic premiered at Vitrine Perplx last year.
Mar Olivé (1998) is a Catalan artist who specialized in aerial rope at ACaPA in Tilburg. She knits different kinds of structures, experimenting with several ropes and papers, as well as combining them with the hair-hanging technique. She has performed in festivals like Theater op de Markt (B),La Mercé (Cat), Oerol (NL), Mercateatre (Cat) and Circolo (NL), Circorts (Cat).
Credits
Makers & performers: Mar Olivé & Shalom Gramiccioli
Original music: Rogier Hornman
External eyes: Júlia Clarà, Ganna Poppea Veenhuyseen, Margot Jansens.
Light design : Gabriella Bianchi
Costume design: Levi Almendras and Paquita Garcia
Website design: Sònia Jou
Special thanks to: Júlia Villier, Natalia Graus, Giulia Poltroneri & our grandmas: Cati, Cuca (Roser),Trini, Rossana, Antonietta, Lucia and Paquita.
Cirque Mania #19
Circus is growing, circus is blossoming! Cirque Mania presents all the emerging developments in circus theatre (New Circus). A festival that showcases all the depths and surprising elements of the genre. Because circus is by and for everyone who doesn't want to put themselves in a box. Unless that's your act of course. This edition puts the human body centre stage from Tuesday 20th March, 25 up to Sunday 23th March, 25.
Korzo Studio