Abyad signifies white. White is both the absence and the sum of all colours. White stands for the beginning and the end of life and symbolizes its cyclical course. Life begins with a breath and the tender emotions of waking up. Slowly, we become aware of ourselves and our own movements, apprehending and discovering our surroundings. In time with the beating of the drums, spirals gyrate and slowly take control of the body´s axis. Circling, the bodies follow their course through space. Gradually, the diversity of life spreads out like a fan: the improvisation of the instruments, the singer´s passionate voice, the different qualities of movement of the dancers as they perform their solos or choreographed group pieces, the beat of the percussionist´s drums. They all tell of the ups and downs of life with its wide spectrum of colours and sounds. Until finally, everything retreats to silence, to pure white light, to birth and a new beginning.
Art Direction Claudia Heinle & Ibrahim el Minyawi
Choreography Claudia Heinle & the dancers
Dance Claudia Heinle, Caroline Chevat, Karin Schemmann
Live Percussion Ibrahim el Minyawi & Ali el Minyawi
Light Design Benjamin Wenger
Music Traditional Baladi music from Egypt recorded by Tanz Raum
