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Big-screen debut of theatre illusionist Dimitris Papaioannou's celebrated dance work (with photos)
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     "NOWHERE", a site-specific dance piece by the celebrated Greek dance theatre director, choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, is making its world debut on the big screen in its director's cut this month in the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF).
 
     Conceived and directed by Papaioannou, the original production "NOWHERE" was commissioned by the National Theatre of Greece in 2009 for the inauguration of its renovated Main Stage. The structure of the new stage became an element of the choreography. Ingeniously drawing on the new stage mechanisms, a group of humans measured the space with their bodies to confront the spatial challenges created. According to Papaioannou, "NOWHERE" is a series of visualised thoughts about the very nature of theatre, as a machine that mirrors human life.
 
     Papaioannou filmed "NOWHERE" himself with his handheld high-definition camera. The filmed version of the central scene, dedicated to the memory of legendary choreographer Pina Bausch, who had just passed away, was released in 2014. It went viral with over 2.5 million views, and has been copied extensively. This year, the newly edited director's cut of "NOWHERE", co-commissioned by the NVAF, the Dance Umbrella Festival and the Ruhrfestspiele Theatre Festival in Recklinghausen, will make its big-screen debut in Hong Kong.
 
     Papaioannou, born in Athens, Greece, in 1964, gained early recognition as a painter and comics artist, before his focus shifted to the performing arts, as director, choreographer, performer, and designer of sets, costumes, makeup and lighting. He was a student of the iconic Greek painter Yannis Tsarouchis before studying at the Athens School of Fine Arts.
 
     Papaioannou became widely known as the creator of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. In 2017, he created "The Great Tamer", his first international co-commission with 10 co-producers, including the Festival d'Avignon. The production was staged in Hong Kong in 2019 and stunned the audiences.
 
     His latest work, "Transverse Orientation", touring more than 30 cities in 2021 and 2022, will be staged at the NVAF next year.
 
     "NOWHERE" (Director's Cut) is one of the programmes of the NVAF. It will be screened at 8pm on November 26 and 27 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. The programme contains nudity and audiences aged below 16 will not be admitted. There will be insightful talks by local artists after each screening.
 
     Tickets priced at $100 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999, or use the mobile ticketing app "My URBITX".
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the NVAF is running from October 23 to November 28, showcasing a range of creative, pioneering and interdisciplinary programmes. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.nvaf.gov.hk.
 
     All persons are required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter LCSD offices and venues, except for exempted persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above and those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on the actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their personal particulars and the date and time of their visit. As it will take time to verify personal particulars of exempted persons under the new arrangement, their waiting time for using public services or entering the relevant venues may be lengthened. The LCSD suggests that members of the public should arrive early and appeals for their understanding. The department also encourages the exempted persons to use the app as far as possible to save time.
 
Ends/Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Issued at HKT 15:00
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"NOWHERE", a site-specific dance piece by the celebrated Greek dance theatre director, choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, is making its world debut on the big screen in its director's cut in the New Vision Arts Festival. Conceived and directed by Papaioannou, the original production "NOWHERE" was commissioned by the National Theatre of Greece in 2009 for the inauguration of its renovated Main Stage and Papaioannou filmed the production himself with his handheld high-definition camera. The newly edited director's cut of "NOWHERE" will be screened at 8pm on November 26 and 27 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. The programme contains nudity and audiences aged below 16 will not be admitted.
"NOWHERE", a site-specific dance piece by the celebrated Greek dance theatre director, choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, is making its world debut on the big screen in its director's cut in the New Vision Arts Festival. Conceived and directed by Papaioannou, the original production "NOWHERE" was commissioned by the National Theatre of Greece in 2009 for the inauguration of its renovated Main Stage and Papaioannou filmed the production himself with his handheld high-definition camera. The newly edited director's cut of "NOWHERE" will be screened at 8pm on November 26 and 27 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. The programme contains nudity and audiences aged below 16 will not be admitted.
"NOWHERE", a site-specific dance piece by the celebrated Greek dance theatre director, choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, is making its world debut on the big screen in its director's cut in the New Vision Arts Festival. Pictured is Dimitris Papaioannou.