Häpeä – Shame


Häpeä-Shame | photo: Sari Tervaniemi | in the photo: Panu Varstala, Sanna Kekäläinen

HÄPEÄ – SHAME (2010)
In the fall of 2009 K&C starts an extensive research-project, which includes two large scale works and demonstrations of the working process.

The Shame Project is a cross-section to the concept and manifestations of Shame. Choreographer Sanna Kekäläinen has done the research using both psychoanalytical and philosophical studies and contemporary literature, making their concepts and conclusions collide, observing the collision points. Why do we experience Shame?
The Shame Project is up-to-date social criticism at it’s sharpest and it takes a strong stand on our thoroughly capitalistic society.

Shame is the opposite of human autonomy and an archaic, early feeling. Because of this, Shame has been used as an effective tool for power throughout the history. It has been used to opress women and other minorities. The themes of Kekäläinen’s early works Studien über Hysterie (1991) and My sword has 7 edges and 3 knots (1992) are in close interaction with the roots of the concept of Shame: Studien über Hysterie dealt with the hysteria of a woman shamelessly and honestly, bringing the ugly, hysterical woman on the stage. My sword has 7 edges and 3 knots dealt with the ecstasy of a woman with straightness and sensuality, using the concept and writings of Saint Teresa of Avila. Echoes from these works can be heard in the Shame Project.

Script, choreography, text, set design and space: Sanna Kekäläinen
Dancers: Sanna Kekäläinen, Lilja Lehmuskallio, Laura Norppa ja Panu Varstala
Lighting design: Heikki Paasonen

Premiere 16.1.2010 at 7 pm
Performances 19./22./24./27./29./31.1. and 3./5./7./10./12.2. at 7 pm
K&C Space, Cable Factory, Tallberginkatu 1 C, 4th floor.
Tickets 17/10€
Mandatory ticket reservation (only 30 seats available)
K&C 09-694 1201; Tue-Thu at 10-16 o’clock or kc@kekalainencompany.net

Häpeä-Shame | photo: Sari Tervaniemi | in the photo: Panu Varstala, Sanna Kekäläinen