The performance, “Anti-Gone,” began its creative journey at Schmiede – Playground of Ideas in Hallein, Austria in September, 2014.
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It started from the idea that Tatou Dede had; to unite Sophocles, “Antigone,” and the word play anti–gone. Not gone but staying and fighting, with the modern technology of video art and video mapping. That’s how Dede began collaboration with the video artist and programmer, Melanie Thewlis. A five-minute performance was created with Thewlis, which was presented at Schmiede’s work show.
In the course of this work, as well as in the continuance of the work in progress, “Anti-Gone” was presented at the festival, “Open Platform For Young Artists.” The work was performed at the Greek National Theater on the Nikos Kourkoulos Stage in May, 2015. This time different collaborators were used.
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So, on February 16, 2017, the performance, in its final stage, made its premiere at the Amalia theatre space in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The performance, “Anti-Gone,” explores the adversity faced by the modern Greek woman in the struggle to stay in her homeland in a period of deep economic and social crisis. Her struggle to stay and the vigor she needs to support her choice reflects the struggle and endurance of the tragic heroine Antigone. The journey of both is one of personal discovery. It involves an internal quest in the coming of age: it demands to free itself from obstacles that have come from its “sex” in order to discover its true identity. It is a journey from the present to the past, in a place where Antigone stands immobile. She renounces her House and her City and stands in the light, a radiant, eternal presence that no power on the earth can shake. She never left. She’s never gone.
Director’s Note: Why do we stay in this country? What holds us here? What moves us? Do we have anything else to give? What is our identity? What is our principle? What is the Greek woman and what side does it project outwards? Have we forgotten?
Direction/idea/conception: Tatou Dede
Performers: (dancer), (actress)
Dramaturgy/Text: Anastasia Tzellou
Visual Artist: Melanie Thewlis
Music Composition: Minas Emmanouil
Costumes: Athina Kyriakakou
Light Design: Alexandros Alexandrou
Production: TATOUmdt / www.tatou.gr
Graphic Design by Ultragrim: www.ultragrim.tumblr.com