"A dilapidated chapel in the Šumava Mountains with a torn image of the Virgin Mary, her face streaked with rain and marked by rust. I stood there in awe, amazed at how, despite these adverse circumstances, this completely nameless and unknown place radiated spirituality, not only of the Christian faith, but spirituality in general. The calm, soothing gaze of the Madonna surrounded by rust was like our inner desire for peace surrounded by constant uncertainty."
The choreographer's personal experience, together with the idea of a precarious state between peace and unrest, and the figure of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing the higher power of good, became the starting point for the solo performance To the Madonna with Rust. The Madonna becomes the link between the images of the performance and offers a refuge of peace for both the creators and the audience. The performance conveys in its physical interpretation the eternal dialogue between good and evil in the forms of calm and anxiety, and through solo singing, dance, and a combination of spiritual and original electronic music, it attempts to answer the question: what is it like to experience something that transcends us spiritually?
Johana Pocková's solo performance is an atmospheric pursuit of memory and an authentic journey to explore (not only) Christian spirituality through movement, live singing, music, and the space in which they resonate.
The production was prepared by POCKETART COLLECTIVE, a collective of artists working in the field of contemporary dance and physical theater under the leadership of choreographers Johana Pocková and Sabina Bočková. The collective brings together artists from the fields of dance, music, visual arts, and light design. Its performances have been staged in many EU countries, Africa, and South America. In 2021-22, the collective achieved success by being included in the prestigious Aerowaves selection, and in subsequent years it became part of the European projects Shape It! and BPDA.
Through its distinctive poetics, visual purity, and powerful original music, the collective's performances attempt to convey a spiritual experience and lead audiences to reflect on our society through themes that transcend the personal experience of the individual (media manipulation, global environmental threats, the position of women in contemporary society).
Co-production: Tanec Praha / PONEC - dance venue, Tantehorse, SE.S.TA - center for choreographic development.
The complete festival program, including the Opening Weekend, will be on sale from March 3, 2026. The South Specific Festival is part of České Budějovice – European Capital of Culture 2028. The festival is held under the auspices of the mayor of the statutory city of České Budějovice.
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NOTICE TO AUDIENCES:
Detailed information on accessibility and specific features of each performance (including potentially sensory-intense or physically demanding moments) will be published later. Please note that as part of the creative process, changes may occur for which the South Bohemian Theatre does not take responsibility.
