Andrea Salustri (IT/DE)

The core concept of Andrea Salustri’s “Materia” is simple and strong: to discover, explore and witness the possibilities of one material, polystyrene, to the point it becomes alive and turns into the protagonist of the events on stage. The role of the performer shifts towards the one of the manipulator, and the focus is constantly negotiated between object, animator and manipulation. A path leads and follows the material from the hesitating movement quality of a delicate encounter to the loud soundscape of a self-sufficient apparatus. Drifting between calmness and darkness, between discovery and destruction.
The piece tries not to force a narrative but rather let the audience project their own narrative on the images presented on stage. Within a set score, objects are free to perform and take initiatives.

Andrea Salustri is originally from Rome, where he learned contact juggling and fire manipulation. His performances combine juggling, dancing and music.
All Styrofoam used in “Materia” is collected and shipped back to Berlin after the performance, to then be composted by certain worms called Zophobas Morio.

Note: Strobe effects are used during the performance.