HOTELOKO movement makers collective emerged in 2016 from the Theater HOTELOKO founded in 2011 by Agata Życzkowska, the director, choreographer, dancer, actress and producer. In 2016-2020, she co-founded a collective with choreographer and performer Magdalena Przybysz. Since 2020 she leads HOTELOKO movement makers together with the dancer and choreographer Mirek Woźniak. They also work with foreign partners in cooperation with organizations and institutions from France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Argentina, Chile, Switzerland and Canada.
“Absolutely Fabulous Dancers” / Photo: Romain Lorraine
Why HOTELOKO?
Because the collective by definition does not have its permanent seat and is open to travel, constant movement (HOTEL), and also focuses on madness (Spanish loco) and draws attention to the experience and honesty (Polish OKO-EYE) recorded in the eye.
Why movement makers?
Because the main storytelling tool is movement, although the collective boldly weaves words, images and music into their performances as well. The production of movement and the elaborate choreographic structure of the dramaturgy, however, are always leading.
HOTELOKO movement makers has developed its own language, a somewhat freaky dance style focusing on diversity resulting from the artists’ different roots.
Agata Życzkowska works mainly on identity threads using authentic movement and everyday movement, interactive methods, teamwork, emotions and reflection, and multimedia. Her world is dominated by sequins that appear in every performance. The shining is a deliberate image, and it is defined by the sentence: “I live in a sequin ball”.
Mirek Woźniak defines himself as an artist operating on the border of various fields of art. He creates stage creations at the meeting point of dance, singing and acting. It is based on the flying low, animal movement, contact improvisation techniques, but also based on his original method of permanent flow, which he calls “liquid spirit”.
HOTELOKO movement makers produces performances that touch reality. Dramaturgy is inspired by today’s world in Poland, Europe and the world. A characteristic feature of the collective’s work is the unpredictability and the involvement of viewers in the performances. In many scenes, it is the audience who performatively co-creates the world together with the artists. The main idea is to blur the line between viewers and performers, reverse roles and play with expectations. The most important criterion is honesty. The creators work mainly in Warsaw, but also cooperate with foreign partners. The performances are presented in Polish, English, French and Spanish.
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