In 2009, DAVID ROLLAND presented a version of his work “Les Lecteurs”. In 2015, he returned to Les Tombées de la Nuit, performing “Happy Manif” on the streets of Mail François Mitterrand and Les Horizons. This year, the Nantes-born choreographer will present an in situ creation consisting of a participatory audio tour around Rennes’ northern cemetery. This quirky offering in such a symbolic place could obviously only take place in the context of this kind of long-term collaboration. Our positive relationship with the city’s funeral directors (following Patrice de Bénédetti’s spectacular “Solo pour un monument aux morts”) and this sensitive yet amusing artist means that we can issue France’s first invitation to stroll around a cemetery.
“Au milieu d’un lac de perles” is a walking tour for two people. Each person collects an MP3 player, which plays a different soundtrack to their partner, featuring a mix of stories, music, cinematographic or literary references and a voice-operated system to guide movement and actions. The cemetery becomes the backdrop to a physical and psychological journey through a variety of religious funeral rites. Strangely enough, this journey also highlights the present day. You may wonder if we’re joking…
DAVID ROLLAND has mastered the art of twisting relationships between bodies and movement and he sees dance as a collective experience and an encounter in public space. His specific work on walking tours forces us to change our opinions of our behaviour.
This encounter centred on humanity takes on a special meaning among the tombstones of Rennes’ beautiful historic cemetery.