Sa 28.10.2017, 20:00-21:00, MDT
Su 29.10.2017, 20:00-21:00, MDT
Tu 31.10.2017, 20:00-21:00, MDT
We 1.11.2017, 20:00-21:00, MDT
“Modern science says: The sun is the past, the earth is the present, the moon is the future. From an incandescent mass we have originated, and into a frozen mass we shall turn. Merciless is the law of nature, and rapidly and irresistibly we are drawn to our doom. (…) Meanwhile the cheering lights of science and art, ever increasing in intensity, illuminate our path, and the marvels they disclose, and the enjoyments they offer, make us measurably forgetful of the gloomy future.” (Nikola Tesla “The problem of increasing human energy” 1900)
"Thunderstruck" walks in the footsteps of the genius and madman Nikola Tesla. In the end of the 19th century, the Serbian-American inventor brought us several of our century’s most important innovations in electricity and communication. He also invented the Tesla coil, an electrical resonant transformer circuit used to produce high-voltage, low-current, high frequency alternating-current electricity. Basically, a device that produces lightning bolts and now can be used for entertainment in live electricity shows.
"Thunderstruck" departs from the 19th century phenomena of touring electricity shows. At a time when electricity was still a scientific novelty it was displayed in public performances as acts of magic. Today, a contemporary heir to the electricity magic show is the Tesla coil performance, making use of the spectacular sound and light effects the coil produces, but often performed in hyper-masculinized, technique-masturbatory and rock’n’roll-fetishistic shows.
In "Thunderstruck", Stina Nyberg returns to a time when the artist and scientist believed in transforming the forces of nature into the forces that propel society, harnessing natural energy for crafting nearly magical devices.
Creating an alternative to the existing macho-spectacular Tesla coil shows, Thunderstruck pairs effective technical innovations with a long-term research on science and magic.
Stina Nyberg is a choreographer and dancer with a practice oscillating between sensation, articulation and representation. In her processes she crafts alternate systems of logic in order to construct the world differently, and act accordingly. Often working in collaboration with others she aims to include how to work into what we work with.
Stina works both independently and collectively, in temporary collaborations with theatres, institutions and other animals. She has made works on commission from Cullberg, Norrdans and Statens konstråd, as well as series of independent works dealing with questions of power, gender, interdependence and magic. She is a member of the artist run organisations höjden, Fylkingen and Interim kultur and currently part of the artistic cohort of Rose Choreographic School based at Sadler’s Wells in London.
Choreography and performance
Assistant on stage
Choreography assistance
Research
Composition and sound design
Light Design
MDT technician and security
MDT producer
Technical assistance
Coiler
High voltage consultant
Administration
Residencies, co-production and performances
MDT in Stockholm, Station in Belgrade, The National Touring Theatre of Sweden and residency support by C.off.
Supported by
The Swedish Arts Council, The Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Kulturbryggan, City of Stockholm, Stockholm County Council and [DNA] Departures and Arrivals network which is co-financed by the Creative Europe program of the European Commission.
Thanks to
David Choi at makerspace Fat Cat Fat Lab NYC, Miroslav Kosanic and Nikola Milenic at makerspace PRAKSA Belgrade, Erik Gabrielsson at KTH.
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