THE PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL: Wind in the Wings
- Daniel Petković
- Curators: Urška Brodar, Katarina Stegnar
- Wings concieved and made by: Slavica Janošević
- Producer: Tina Dobnik
- Technical support: Demijan Pintarič, Igor Remeta, Manca Vukelič
Thank you:
Tanja Pađan – Kiss the future
During the afternoon workshop, we were working with wings, large, glittering, fluttering wings.
Our youngest participants showed us the way from which we, the older ones, have already strayed. Under their instruction we learnt how to turn according to the wind, fish in muddy waters and shoot our own foot. The transformative event started with a sewing workshop and ended in the meadow.
We let ourselves be wild, perceive the environment not only with our eyes but also with the rest of our sensory apparatus. With this imaginary flight, we were not fleeing reality, we just took a little break and cleared out heads in the air, and then again and again landed on the firm ground.
Our genuine, unburdened and unpretentious child has flown …
The event focuses on practical, perceivable aspects of metamorphosis without great demands or pretence. By exploring these phenomena in the context of acting, the workshop simultaneously educates and entertains. In its essence, it is a guide taking young people on an incredible journey of discovery and understanding, introducing them to the metamorphosis of the butterfly as it naturally occurs. By doing exactly what he promises, Petković advocates for experiential learning and keeps young audiences engaged and captivated throughout the workshop. [...] However, this is not yet a performance. The performance materialises in how the event is set up. This workshop does not include children (with the exception of one). Instead, it is tested by adults, and what is more, before they can try to engage in butterfly’s dance, they have to sew their butterfly wings using six sewing machines. When the wings are created, the workshop begins with Petković remaining true to the idea that he is being watched by children, even if they are over thirty years old. [...] On the last level of the experience, Petković dives deep into exploring the performance aspects of his work on a meta level. He embarks on an introspective journey, questioning the position of an adult toward his inner child. In doing so, he analyses the dynamics between adulthood and childhood within himself, thus provoking conventional notions of these phases.