Corps Intérieur, Set Design Installation

(David Pressault Danse)

Artist Statement
Gareth Bate
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The set design installation for "Corps Intérieur"  (Inner Body) pushes the boundaries of painting, as well as set design, with an immersive environment where the audience descends into a glowing underworld reminiscent of a pulsing inner body. The provocative performance by David Pressault Danse in collaboration with Danse-Cité premiered in Jan. 09 at the Monument National Theatre in Montreal. The show was very sucessful and sold out several nights. It was remounted Nov. 30 - Dec 3, 2009.

In this visceral environment the dancers embody consciousness in an inner world reminiscent of the body’s pulsing organs or a womb. The mezzanine section incorporates a massive 200-foot installation created by trapping fluid acrylic paint between textured layers of plastic wrap. On the lower level the audience is invited to wander the space and interact with the dancers. The design incorporates five 10 x 10 foot “peep show” boxes made of painted cotton. They resemble Chinese lanterns painted to evoke cave paintings covered in hand prints. The audience peeks through holes to view the dancers inside. Lucie Bazzo provides a stunning lighting design. The extreme set pushes the material restrictions of what is permissible in theatres. The show has been well reviewed in Le Devoir, La Presse, and the Hour.ca.

 

Acknowledgments: Ontario Arts Council, Emerging Artist Grant.
Special Thanks: David Pressault, Armando Gomez Rubio, Angelo Barsetti, François Bricout, Catherine Viau, Lucie Bazzo, Alexandra Langlois, Graham Jackson and Dawne Rudman.

Visual Artist / Set Designer: Gareth Bate
Original Concept & Choreography:
David Pressault
Producers: David Pressault Danse & Danse-Cité
Location: Monument National de Montreal Theatre, Montreal, Quebec
First Run: Jan. 21 - Jan 31, 2009
Second Run: Dec 3 -5, 2009
Medium: Acrylic in layers of plastic cling-wrap, acrylic on cotton
Documentation: Gareth Bate

With the choreographic participation
of the interpreters (Dancers):
Angie Cheng, Anne LeBeau, David Flewelling, Karina Iraola, Karsten Krall, Daniel Soulières
Costumes / Makeup: Angelo Barsetti
Lighting Designer: Lucie Bazzo
Music: Michel F. Côté
First Stage Manager: Armando Gomez Rubio
Remount Stage Manager: Alexandra Langlois
Répétitrice: Catherine Viau
Poster Design: Photograph: Nicolas Ruel,Visual Mediation: Gareth Bate, Dancer: Angie Cheng