Ohad Naharin made ‘Shalosh’ (three) in 2005. The ballet consists of three parts: ‘Bellus’ (beauty), ‘Humus’ (earth), and ‘Secus’ (this instead of that). ‘Secus’ was first performed separately in 2012 with NDT. The tripartite theological structure suggests a return to a formal, exposed, everyday foundation of dance. Virtuosity is replaced by the simple movement, by rhythm, and unison, weaving the three sections into a delicate lacework of equilibriums between the empty spaces, silence, and pauses and the body, music, and movement.
Naharin’s language often corresponds with dance’s two central forces: gravity and transience, exploring what can be done with them and within them, and how they can be transformed into an experience that has no words – only sensations. In “Three”, Naharin takes on the basic “operating manual” of choreography, shifting focus to the seemingly simple framework – the number of dancers, composition, spotlights, the music. He reminds us that the convergence of all these together in time and space, as well as their measure and volume, are in fact the elements that generate the magic of the live performance
Three presents dance that is not afraid to be exposed and to expose, which does not apologize for its fragility, humanity, and excess. A rare glimpse into Naharin’s extensive dance research
Choreographer: Ohad Naharin
Music: Chari Chari – Favourite Final Geisha Show, Kid 606 – Flutter Rayon – Mount Carmel (mix: Stefan Ferry), AGF – Ambient trust, Private Birds, you Stop, Fennesz – On, Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai – Na Tum Jano Na hum, Seefeel – Me, The Beach Boys, You’re Welcome by Brian Wilson performed by the Beach Boys, album: Smiley Smile, Chronomad, Wahed, album: Sokut, label: alien transistor, Ohad Fishof (Sound Design, Editing)
Light: Bambi (Avi Yona Buano)
Costumes: Rakefet Levy
Assistant to the choreographer: Lucas Crandall
World Premiere: May 10, 2012, Lucent Danstheater, The Hague