«There are places on earth where water has its own name. Where the sacred is not taught: it is drunk.»
Matilde J Ciria
CONCEPT
Airón is a pre-Roman Iberian god, keeper of the deep waters. Giver of life and taker of it. A god of the underworld from whom the water of wells and springs arises. His name still exists in various enclaves of the peninsula — exceptional places that have been the object of myths and legends.
The piece is born alight. The body appears covered in candles — stuck to the skin with their own wax, burning. Light as the first mystery: what illuminates also consumes, what warms also marks. The wax falls slowly over the dancer as he dances, drawing paths the body does not choose. An involuntary writing. What remains is hardened wax: the solid memory of what was heat and light, crumbling between the fingers. It falls like snow. What was flame becomes white silence.
Two waters. That of melted fire — dense, hot, that moulds and scars. And that of Airón — deep, cold, dark, that keeps everything without showing its bottom. The surface reflects. The depths devour. The body inhabits both. Experiencing the transformation between the two, able to give life with their touch, and to take it with their endless depth. Sinuous waters flooded with the symbology of our social subconscious.
Airón was presented in two editions: Madrid in January 2023 and Córdoba in October of the same year. In both cases the piece was built in total improvisation between Matilde and the guest musician in that specific space and moment. The same piece cannot exist twice.
Part of the Ciclo Danza Cruda.
GUEST ARTISTS
(Madrid) Alejandro de Antonio: Luthier and musician; he builds instruments and builds sound with the same artisanal precision.
aldeantonio.com
(Córdoba) Carlos Guerrero Bullejos: Pianist, teacher and performer who oozes art from every pore.
IG: @carlosguerrerobullejos
SYNOPSIS
Lit candles upon the skin. The wax falls — like time. The fire consumes itself until there is no fire left. Only the mark. Only the white trace that crumbles between the fingers and falls like snow over Airón’s dark water.
Sinuous waters flooded with the symbology of our social subconscious. Slippery animals that may be bearers of healing as much as envoys of demons. Aquatic spirits to whom various sacrifices were made to keep them friendly.
A reverence to all deep waters: their mysteries and wonders.
Depths that reflect, in the darkness of their mystery, the human depths themselves. Something as close as it is unknown.
ON IMPROVISATION
This piece does not exist before it begins. There is no score, no rehearsal, no possible repetition. What happens on stage is born from the real encounter between the artists in that specific space and moment — from mutual listening, from shared risk, from the presence of an audience that is also part of what happens. Each performance is a unique event that cannot be reproduced. What you see tonight has not existed before and will not exist afterward.
GALLERY
ARTISTIC CREDITS
Movement: Matilde J. Ciria
Sound: Alejandro de Antonio (Madrid) / local musician (Córdoba)
Associated workshop: ni.butoh: WATER II
Jam: El Jardín de las Delicias — Lagunas Insondables
Venue: Espacio en Blanco, C/ Mira el Sol 5-7, Madrid
Classification: Butoh / Performance / Improvisation