Two years ago, the innovative dance collective RIVA, comprising Búa Rouch, Rannvá G. Niclasen, and Vár B. Árting, embarked on a mission: to bring at least one Faroese dance performance to the stage each year. This initiative aimed to solidify dance as a vibrant and integral part of the Faroese artistic landscape, ensuring that contemporary dance is consistently represented on local stages.
Now, they are poised to unveil their latest creation, “Rhythmography.” This new work marks a compelling collaboration between RIVA and the talented members of the Føroya Slagverks Ensemble, which features Rúna Mouritsen, Ára Berghamar Danielsen, Helena S. Lamhauge, and Jan Rúna Poulsen.
The Dance Factory RIVA includes Búa Rouch and Vár B.
A Shift Toward Abstraction
As stated in a recent press release, “The storytelling has been the focus of our endeavors for the past two years. This time, however, we are embracing a more abstract approach, exploring how movement and rhythm can serve as harmonious artistic mediums on stage.” The artists express a desire for “Rhythmography” to cultivate a shared pulse among musicians, dancers, and audiences alike. With the premiere on the horizon and the work nearing completion, there’s a palpable sense of depth and presence—qualities that can only be truly experienced in live performance.
“This pulse—this rhythm—evokes the feeling of time and the ebb and flow of phenomena that come and go,” they explain. “It is poetic and moving; it has the power to stir profound emotions and elevate the spirit, creating an exhilarating moment where we can temporarily lose ourselves, if only we dare to let go.”
Photo: Tróndur Dalsgard
The creators aim for “Rhythmography” to resonate with a diverse audience—appealing not only to enthusiasts of classical and experimental music but also to those who appreciate dance and the theatrical arts.
In addition to the core members of RIVA and the Føroya Slagverks Ensemble, the project also involves the talents of Maibritt Marjunardóttir, Villiam Soo Joensen, and Bjørn Ulvedal Simonsen, who are responsible for costume, lighting, and stage design, respectively.
The premiere will take place at the Norðurlanda House on the evening of November 29 at 19:30.
Photo: Tróndur Dalsgard
Choreography and Dance Performance: Búa Rouch, Rannvá G. Niclasen, and Vár B. Árting
Musicians: Ára Berghamar Danielsen, Rúna Mouritsen, Jan Rúna Poulsen, and Helena S. Lamhauge
Composition by: Rúna Mouritsen
Poems by: Jan Rúna Poulsen
Costume Design: Maibritt Marjunardóttir
Stage Construction: Bjørn Ulvedal Simonsen
Lighting: Villiam Soo Joensen
Co-Creators: Rannvá G. Niclasen, Vár B. Árting, and Ára Berghamar Danielsen
Photography: Tróndur Dalsgard
