iMythos arose as a research and artistic-creation project conceived by Rafaela Bidarra in co-creation with Matilde Javier Ciria in 2014. It was born as a continuation of the line begun with “Corpo em crise”, an award-winning piece at MITEU and the FATAL Festival. After a creative process developed between Spain and Portugal, the show premiered in 2016 at the Ripollesdansa festival in Ripoll, Spain.

iMythos explores the function of ancient myths today and the new myths arising in the digital era, using butoh dance as scenic language within dramatic theatrical structures. The work addresses the conflict between myth and reason characteristic of the 21st century, seeking to integrate dualities of existence (life/death, masculine/feminine, light/darkness) through the body.

The project examines how technology modifies our perception of reality, becoming an object of almost religious worship and generating new contemporary myths that the show explores and questions.

Structure

iMythos takes as its basis the structure of Joseph Campbell’s “monomyth” (Departure, Initiation and Return), seeking parallels between ancient mythology and contemporary issues. Butoh dance functions as the main language, allowing the unconscious to express itself through the body via a direct, sensory experience of reality.