Nano Steps – a particle performance is a non-verbal performance that portrays an uncanny relationship between two entities across scales and boundaries. The performance inquires what happens when a physicist encounters invisible particles in the spotlight of a microscope. A group of puppeteers harness the methods of applied physics on the stage. The performance takes the spectators into a basement laboratory where research is unpredictable.
Nano Steps started with a question of what the world’s smallest puppet could be. Trial & Theatre group indulged into a meandering and unpredictable research process, during which they called world-famous professors, travelled to Cornell University, to Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and to laboratories of Aalto University. The non-verbal performance to be seen at studio Pasila interweaves science with object theatre and brings for the first time a manipulation technique learned directly from physicists to stage: the technique of manipulating/treating/handling micro-sized particles. The performance is not science fiction, but rather a fiction of science.
WORKING GROUP
Nano Steps is the first premiere by Trial & Theatre – group formed by trio Alanen-Hanikka-Syrjä. The objectives of the group is to reach out for free and unruly research processes where science and puppetry collaborate while blurring each other’s boundaries.
Director: Aati Hanikka
Dramaturg: Iiris Syrjä
Sound designer-musician: Valtteri Alanen
Performer: En Ping Yu
Light designer: Jere Suontausta
PERFORMANCES
Saturday 9.11.2024 at 16:00 and 18:30
Performances as part of Turku Interntional Puppetry Festival TIP-Fest
Pieni näyttämö, Turku City Theatre, Itäinen Rantakatu 14
Age recommendation: for adults, 9+
Duration: 50 min (no intermission)
Language: non-verbal
Please notice: The performance features some flickering flights and ultrasounds, dogs not allowed
Nano steps – a Particle Performance premiered 8 August 2023 at the Helsinki City Theatre’s Stage for Contemporary Performance in Studio Pasila. The performance is available for touring.
There is also a second version of the piece: Nano Steps – Into the Lab that premiered April 11th 2024 to Alfred ve dvoře Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic. The performance has since visited Turku and Kaunas, Lithuania
https://www.trialandtheatre.com/
Nano Steps is created collaboration with Helsinki City Theatre, Aalto University, Itai Cohen (Cornell University), Aura of Puppets, Studio Alta and the Physics department of Czech Academy of Sciences.
The work is supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Finnish Cultural Fund, Helsinki City Theatre, Aura of Puppets, Nordisk Kulturfond andSamuel Huber art foundation. Thank you Aurinkobaletti, Grus Grus Theatre and Metropolitan puppets.
More about the background and techniques used in the performances on Aura of Puppets blog (In Finnish):
Fysiikan sovelluksia nukenkäsittelytekniikoiksi – osa kaksi: Suspensiot ja origamit
Fysiikan sovelluksia nukenkäsittelytekniikoiksi – osa kaksi: Suspensiot ja origamit
