Don't loose your footings

If you have ever had to smell a dancer’s feet inches from your nose, heard him breathe heavily above your head or had to turn your head 360 degrees to follow him slithering away around you while at the same time not being able to see any part of your own body and, what’s more, had to watch your own balance and make sure you don’t lose your footing, the chances are that you’ve already been exposed to the “Tetris” experience: a dance creation performed in an architectural installation, concocted by choreographer Noa Dar and visual artist Natti Shmia-Ofer.

“Tetris” was recently premiered in Israel, at Acre’s Festival for Alternative Theater, at Dar’s modest new studio in the center of Tel Aviv.

Each “Tetris” performance is limited to 69 viewers who are required to take off their shoes before being escorted inside the studio by one of the seven dancers. There they are measured and handed one of a selection of various sized stools, according to their height.

poked heads

The ceremonial introduction continues with individual instructions to step carefully, heads bent, under the raised stage, and place the stools on the designated marks on the floor. Each spectator is told to step on his ...