Paper Paper
I really like this simple idea that was already the title for one of our mail conversations. In my eyes the „double“ paper refers to two different artistic approaches. On the one hand the way Anas interacts with paper. And on the other hand it gives insight to the thoughts and questions I like to express. The double use of the word paper contains also the idea of transforming paper. Anas transforms it into movements. He is diving into his paper world that is open for imagination. I’m also transforming paper. I’m recycling my old tax documents. A tax document is a fixed frame, it is only open for the hard facts, not for the poetry inbetween all the printed information that reduces one’s life to just a few numbers. By recycling these documents, I’m able to create blank sheets. However, these blanks sheets are not pale white, instead they have a greyish colour. Their old history is still swinging along, but once recycled there is open space for new projections, perspectives and imagination. With the process of recycling my tax documents I’m referring to the idea of the „palimpsest“. There is already something apparent beneath the surface and it is possible to find new ways to continue the story-line.
Stephanie Müller ( 5/17/2020)
Beyond Paper
I like it, because it also fits to Anas’ idea of the openness of blank paper. In my perspective the paper is just like an open projection screen for different kind of imaginations. The title also refers to Studio 8’s title „Beyond Dance“. Furthermore our exchange is definitely reaching beyond the pieces of paper we’ve started with. Anas and his fellow artists have already created a whole world of paper. I’m going to transfer the paper into a costume. This costume will look like a surreal animal. In the end the costume will be my instrument for creating a paper soundtrack. „Beyond“ also means to me that we dare to give a little insight into our process, our struggles, with each other, with the situation of not haven the chance to me physically and with the idea of using paper. Anas told me that he had his struggles in the beginning. I’ve never tried to focus on paper before and for me it was an important process to realize which kind of approach towards the material makes sense for me. All these frictions are totally worth it. Step by step I dared to communicate what is important for me and for this collaboration. And now I can’t wait to share little fragments of the ongoing process with Anas and his fellow artists.
Stephanie Müller ( 5/17/2020)
Float like paper, sting like a bee
This suggestion refers to a quote by the boxer Muhammad Ali – original quote „float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.“ In my eyes it expresses that our exchange has different qualities, the lightness that makes it floating and also the frictions, that are not easy, but that offer the chance to focus. Anas is dancing, floating with paper. And I’m turning my old tax documents into an surreal sonic animal costume.)
Stephanie Müller ( 5/17/2020)
Anas is also brainstorming. He and his friends came up with:
I dance to paper, as I speak to the first person I meet
On a paper, a butterfly never dies
Fill your paper with the breathing of your heart
A Singing & Moving A4 size
5000 sheets of brilliance
Co-Create 