The portrait of a flamenco dancer is Kaari Martin´s choreography dealing with her own relation to flamenco. It´s a part of series called Figuras, the first big production by Martin premiered in 2000.

”A good flamenco dancer is also a good musician: communication with musicians is essential. Making flamenco is up to one´s spirit and sense of rhythm. All the performers of this piece are not necessarily experienced flamenco professionals, but the spirit and rhythm they have. I require musicality and courage to express oneself. It is more important than a perfect performance.”

Choreography: Kaari Martin
Dancers: Kirsi Kuismanen, Kaari Martin, Mari Mero, Ulla-Maija Peltola, Sari Pikkarainen, Anu Silvennoinen, Katja Toivonen, Lotta Ventelä
Music: Miguel Poveda, El Barrio, Montse Cortés, Camarón de la Isla, Vicente Amigo
Lighting design: Tuukka Toijanniemi
Costume design: Pauliina Oksala, Ulla-Maija Peltola, Sari Pikkarainen, Marianna Verdecia
Mixing: Ilari Suonpää
Premiere: November 10, 2000, Kanneltalo, Helsinki
Production: Dance group Kaari Martin


FIGURAS


Figuras is an experimental dance piece. A group of dancers and actors are exploring the essence and limits of flamenco by using tradition´s music and movements as a frame for free expression.

 
•    Choreography: Katja Lundén, Kaari Martin
•    Fencing choreography: Kristo Salminen
•    Choreography of Fin de Fiesta: The whole group
•    Dancers: Minna Harjuniemi, Kirsi Kuismanen, Katja Kukkola, Lotta Lehtikari, Katja Lundén, Kaari Martin, Mari Mero, Minttu Mustakallio, Ulla-Maija Peltola, Tom Petäjä, Sari Pikkarainen, Anu Silvennoinen, Katja Toivonen, Lotta Ventelä
•    Fencers: Lotta Lehtikari, Kristo Salminen
•    Music: Ramón Maronier
•    Song verses: Thierry Boisdon
•    Musicians: Thierry Boisdon, Ramón Maronier, Sanna Salmenkallio, Karo Sampela
•    Palmas and coros: Juha Leino, Katja Lundén, Kaari Martin
•    Directing: Minna Harjuniemi, Kaari Martin
•    Lighting design: Tuukka Toijanniemi
•    Costume design: Pauliina Oksala, Ulla-Maija Peltola, Sari Pikkarainen, Marianna Verdecia
•    Mixing: Ilari Suonpää
•    Premiere: November 10, 2000, Kanneltalo, Helsinki
•    Production: Dance group Kaari Martin