Orangutang
Presented as part of Dance In Vancouver 2021
The Biting School draws on history, literature and philosophy to interrogate challenging social and political issues. The company’s work translates the anxiety, trauma and beauty of our time into the language of the body in no-holds-barred theatrical works full of physicality, daring ideas and dark humour. Orangutang (Malay for ‘the man of the forest’) is a provocative new solo choreographed and performed by Arash Khakpour.
Orangutang is a mourning ritual, a dance of birth and death.
This ritual is my way of mourning the loss of my innocence and the innocence of others.
This performance is rooted in memories that came from practicing my ancestral religious traditions of Shia Islam.
Orangutang is the manifestation of my inner turmoil revealed to you.
An attempt at compassion towards the external world.
Orangutangs are rare and endangered species native to Indonesia and Malaysia.
In Malay, ‘Orang-utang’ means ‘the man of the forest’.
- Arash Khakpour
Performer/Choreographer: Arash Khakpour
Creative Consultant: Raïna von Waldenburg
Dramaturg: Aryo Khakpour
Set Designer: Hamidreza Jadid
Assistant Set Designer: Aylin Askarihosseini
Costume Designer: Elika Mojtabaei
Composer: Alex Mah
Lighting Designer: Jonathan Kim
Producing Stage Manager: Amanda Parafina
Photographer: Luciana D’Anunciação
The Biting School gratefully acknowledges the support of Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, The Dance Centre, Battery Opera, EDAM Dance.
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November 24-27 & December 1-4, 2021
7 PM
Russian Hall
600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver, BC
Photo by Luciana D’Anunciação