Performances:
Baltic Circle, Helsinki, 2024
XS-festival, Kutomo, Turku, 2024
Vleeshall, Middelburg (upcoming in May 2025)
Parachorale is a performance for one performer, choir of four people, tattoo artist and cotton candy. In the work, a solo performance merges with a performance by many. The structure alludes to the multiplication of the individual and challenges individual-centered psychology: our experience of the world is always a reflection of others.
Parachorale explores the paranormality of trans experience. The performance unfolds a dark carnival, featuring tattooing of skins, choral singing, and eating and feeding he audience with cotton candy. The piece makes space for pain and collective pleasure through humour and absurdity, drawing from the experiences of living in a dysphoric body. The work also refers to teenage years’ experiences of cutting the skin.
Parachorale speaks to the experience of inner dissonance. At its heart lies the desire to share an under-the-skin world and to create a new understanding of the reality with the audience in the moment of the performance. Parachorale challenges the othering gaze that views transcorporeality as exceptional in society. It asks how private the experience truly is, and how many genuinely feel at home in their own skin.
Parachorale continues Ala-Ruona’s series of works addressing the psychosomatic extremes of transcorporeality and paranormal potential. It is a sequel to his solo Lacuna (2021).
CREDITS
Concept, direction: Teo Ala-Ruona
Text: Teo Ala-Ruona, Even Minn, Tuukka Haapakorpi
Performance: Teo Ala-Ruona, Caroline Suinner, Anni Puolakka, Pauliina Sjöberg, Tuukka Haapakorpi
Choreography: Teo Ala-Ruona, Raoni Muzho Saleh
Dramaturgy: Even Minn
Sound design and composition: Tuukka Haapakorpi
Costume and set design: Teo Paaer
Light design: Sofia Palillo
Performance dramaturgy: Ami Karvonen
Featuring tattoo artist: Spider Nykänen
Costume designer assistants: Nour Ainasoja, Pauliina Sjöberg
Sound designer assistant: Linda Lazarov
Production: Baltic Circle, Teo Ala-Ruona, Even Minn
Supporters: Kone Foundation, Taiteen edistämiskeskus, Finnish Benelux institute
Residences: Ehkä productions, Kunstcentrum BUDA, SODAS2123, Tuo Tuo