Focus on Arkadi Zaides

Orbita | Spellbound National Centre for the Production of Dance dedicates for the first time in Rome a monographic focus on the artist Arkadi Zaides with three multidisciplinary projects: Talos, Necropolis and the work-in-progress The Cloud. These three works mix enquiries into the historical and forensic field, technological and installation devices, political themes, theatre, dance and robotics. The focus dedicated to the Belarusian artist is created in collaboration with Teatro Palladium, Università degli Studi di Roma III, Teatro Biblioteca Quarticciolo, Spazio Rossellini-multidisciplinary cultural centre in the Lazio Region, ATCL Multidisciplinary Circuit in Lazio, Short Theatre, Baobab Experience and Open Arms. Arkadi Zaides is noted on the international scene for his commitment to denounce on stage the most burning issues that presently torment human rights, not only by demonstrating urgency, but radicalising each time constructive practises of resistance. The Cloud faces head-on themes connected to the climate crisis, starting from one of the biggest environmental disasters of recent times: the explosion of the nuclear power station at Chernobyl. This work-in-progress was supported by Teatro Biblioteca Quarticciolo with a residency from 20 to 24 November 2023 within the festival Lotto TBQ. Talos, on stage at Teatro Palladium on 25 November 2023, focused on the relationship between technologies, surveillance and migratory movements. Finally, Necropolis challenged Rome, as every host city, to confront its own immigration support system. The work, in fact, involves territorial research in order to trace the deaths of migrants by reconstructing their lives, as well as geolocating their burials. To give back dignity to these people, Arkadi Zaides and his team delve into the forensic practice of every city the project lands, building a new virtual registration that documents the remains of those whose death is still today an unresolved case.