Last & ultimate great creation of the choreographer for her company, The Tree is a poetic reflection on humanity and nature, on the edge of sinking… After eau, Pneuma and Now, it completes the cycle of pieces inspired by French philosopher Gaston Bachelard.
Based on Fragments of a Poetics of Fire, Carolyn Carlson chose the poetic and symbolic power of flames and more widely the complexity of the natural elements as inspirations for her new creation. She works with light designer Rémi Nicolas once again, who creates imaginary landscapes inviting to an inner journey and contemplation. Visual artist Gao Xingjian also sublimates the scenography with his abstract paintings in Chinese ink projected at the back of the stage in several sequences.
Combined with the dancers' virtuosity and the dreamlike vision of Carolyn Carlson, The Tree is a powerful and vital expression of love to a nature on the edge of collapsing, with the hope of a rebirth from its own ashes like a phoenix..
We are not outside the Universe; we are seeds in cycles and rhythms as the changing seasons alongside all creation.
Carolyn Carlson