The environmental and human impacts caused by the construction of hydroelectric plants in the Madeira river basin, in Rondônia, triggered the artist from Manaus, Leonardo Scantbelruy to create the solo, the first work of Coletivo Mona. The performer manipulates symbolic and regional elements to examine the risk of the Amazon life, marked by colonization cycles. Inspired by the work of the painter and sculptor Olivier de Sagazan and the choreographer Elisa Schmidt, the performer uses a cassava paste to gradually dismantle himself and investigate through body metaphors the emotional and psychological state of a body crossed by an environmental shock that violates countless rights.

Coletivo Mona is a network of independent artists from Manaus who currently live in Manaus, Portugal and France. Their common interest is to decentralize art and make it more democratic. Recolon, the group’s inaugural work, was awarded the Prêmio Funarte de Dança Klauss Vianna (2014) and toured in Manaus, Rondônia, Florianópolis, Spain and Bolivia. the shows Transformação / Invisibilidade, A Ver Estrelas, Passarinho and Akangatu are also part of the repertoire. Mona took part in the Spanish festival Emergentes, the International Biennial of Circus, in France, and held the first Fest Rap, in Manaus.

CRITICS

I intend that this narrative, which observes and exposes the action of dams in the Amazon, is a device that enables to trigger other perceptions of colonizing structures immersed in our life. To realize and raise awareness is a small step towards the revolution against all types of exploitation.

LEONARDO SCANTBELRUY, director and performer

TECHNICAL SHEET

CONCEPT, DIRECTION AND PERFORMANCE: Leonardo Scantbelruy
ASSESSMENT: Gilca Lobo and Elisa Schmidt
DIRECTION ASSISTANCE: Francisco Rider
LIGHTING AND SOUND DESIGN: Daniel Braz
COSTUMES: Preta Scantbelruy
SUPPORTED BY: Coletivo Mona, Movimento Levante MAO and Coletivo Difusão