NESHIMA
Daniel Barkan (IL/NL)
NeshiMa is all about breathing.
Hebrew for breath, the aim of the piece is to focus on the most simple action in life and to bring the audience’s attention to it. It is strange to think we are almost never busy with the practice of breathing… if you can call it that way. We take breathing for granted, which is what choreographer Daniel Barkan wants to challenge.
“Breathing is the simplest and most basic action in our lives. So easy and yet complex. During the pandemic, my interest in the subject grew. By wearing a mouth mask I was constantly aware of my breathing and the intensive effort it required me. As an artist, this made me obsessed with the concept. Neshima pays attention to the physical limitation and the desire for breathing space.” – Daniel Barkan
The dancers start the performance with a search for oxygen. Covered by several layers of clothing/fabric, they are restricted in their freedom of movement. They are busy getting oxygen both physically and mentally through various means. Along the way they experience extreme, humorous and emotional situations. They help each other and fight each other for the last bit of oxygen. They sing, talk and dance on stage, seeking freedom.
NeshiMa is a collaboration between Daniel Barkan and Lazy Susan & co. and will premiered in spring 2023.
About Daniel Barkan
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Daniel Barkan is a contemporary dancer, performance artist, and choreographer.
In 2008, Daniel graduated high school with a minor in biology and dance. It’s been since then that she’s found an interest in the two fields and their connection. From 2008 until 2010, Daniel worked as a behavioral science diagnostic and commander whilst fulfilling the obligatory IDF service. After her IDF service, Daniel joined the dance theater group of Rina Schenfeld in Tel Aviv. In 2012, Daniel studied in The Maslul dance education, before moving to the Netherlands in 2013. She received her BA from ArtEZ University of the Arts (NL) in 2017.
Upon graduating, Daniel had the pleasure to work with a great variety of choreographers in the Netherlands and Belgium. As freelancer, Daniel has performed works for Jan martens (GRIP), Nicole Beutler (NB Projects), Wubkje Kuindersma (Korzo), Joseph Simon (Dansateliers), Giulio D’Anna, Mats Logen and Karlijn Milder (Akatak), and Guillaume Versteeg. Currently, Daniel is working with Belgian choreographers Ayelen Parolin, Leslie Mannes, and Julien Carlier.
Besides being a performer, Daniel has also developed her own choreographic works in recent years. Formerly known under the name CollectivePRIME, Daniel often joins residencies and performs her own work at numerous dance/performance art festivals. Her latest creation, Choreography of Altruism, is a dance film and premiered during the 2021 Cinedans Festival.
See more about Daniel and her work:
NESHIMA
Concept & direction
Daniel Barkan
Performance
Alice Gioria, Iris Boer, Keren Ben Shachar, Leonetta Gandon, Claudia Caldarone
Music
Enrico Meijer
Illustration
Laura Daelemans
Production
Danique Jongbloed & Hanne Blomme
PR Management
Wouter Vertogen
Supported by: Gemeente Arnhem, Prins Bernhard Gelderland, Vriendien van Arnhem,, Misiconi Dance, Korzo, Theater aan de Rijn.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Preview: Theater de Leeuw, Arnhem, 27.01.2023
Try out: Theater aan de Rijn, Arnhem, 16.02.2023
Premiere: Theater de Leeuw, Arnhem, 17-18.02.2023
Theater Kikker, Utrecht, 19.04.2023
Theater De Lindenberg, Nijmegen, 22.04.20