Simply Straw Mats

The name chosen for the work is taken from a section in Georg Büchner’s play “Woyzeck.” By choosing this particular literary quote, Be’er circumvents the main theme of the play: the story of an anti-hero, a victim of war and its warped morals. Yet, the textual source inevitably raises certain expectations, particularly since Rami Be’er has been known to touch on sensitive political issues and successfully infuse them in his dance, ever since “Reservist Diary” (1989), “Aide Memoire” (1994) and “Screensaver” (2002) earned him international acclaim.

Their stronger impact derives from his subtle weaving of content and form, producing richly layered work. “Upon Reaching The Sun,” however, belongs to a different body of work in which striking effects created by complex sets, lighting or multifunctional props play a major role in supporting the dance. These works generate scores of arresting visual images of great beauty without having a lasting or disturbing mental impact.
Rami Be’er himself is involved in designing all the elements and often claims that they are as important to him as the choreography, and that his attention is not focused on pure body movement. As a result, several of ...