DanzAbierta is a contemporary dance company hailing from Havana, Cuba. The group was founded in 1988 by Marianela Boán, and since then it has been driven by the artistic vision of Boán in collaboration with a dynamic team of artists, musicians, and designers. For over three decades, DanzAbierta has created breathtaking works that explore the intersection between art, politics, and society.
One of their most recent productions, Malson (2018), premiered at Festival Internacional de Teatro de La Habana, and it was subsequently performed across Europe. This show demonstrated DanzAbierta's commitment to addressing complex topics through movement and storytelling. Malson is a visionary piece that combines dance, theater, video projections, and live music to provide a thought-provoking experience for the viewers.
Malson can be translated into English as "nightmare," and the choreography reflects this theme through an unsettling display of violence, oppression, and resistance. By using specific cultural references that are relevant to contemporary Cuban society, such as Santeria, the Communist Party, and the Haitian Revolution, DanzAbierta creates a distinctive narrative that explores the boundaries of human relationships.
The dancers' movements are daring and technically precise, which emphasizes the vulnerability of our bodies when we are exposed to a repressive regime. In this regard, Malson is meant to be a warning against the dangers of complacency and the importance of fighting oppression in all its forms.
Accompanying the dancers, the music adds another dimension to the performance. The audience experiences a bewitching blend of electronic sounds and live instrumentation, which helps to elevate the emotions conveyed on stage. The costumes, lighting design, and video projections all contribute to creating a dystopian atmosphere that envelopes the viewers in the nightmare scenario portrayed onstage.
Finally, it's worth noting that while Malson is set in Cuba, its themes are universal. The show is a testament to the power of art as a tool for social critique and change, regardless of where it takes place. Dance shows like Malson demonstrate how dancers, choreographers, and other artists can use their talents to raise awareness about important issues that affect us all.
In conclusion, DanzAbierta's Malson is an immaculate example of contemporary dance at its finest. Through the masterful blend of movement, sound, and visual elements, the company succeeds in creating a provocative and deeply moving experience for the audience. This powerful work will leave viewers questioning their own role in society and the ways in which they can challenge injustice and oppression.