MN Dance Company: Perpetuum Mobile

Perpetuum mobile, a hypothetical machine that operates for an infinite amount of time without an external energy source, is miraculous, evidently reflecting the human tendency to explore new ideas, the impossible and the unattainable. To date, the construction of such a machine has remained an unrealized dream. As constantly moving and ever-changing entities, the human body, the planet Earth we inhabit and the whole universe provide the greatest inspiration for creating a dance perpetuum mobile, a motion machine enabling the dancers to accomplish new feats, generating an irresistible and hypnotic movement of pulsating bodies, and thereby a miraculous ever-moving dance world, which forms part both of the past and the future.

The project is dedicated to the 570th anniversary of the visionary, artist, architect and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, an indefatigable designer of perpetual motion devices, and – like the master himself – blends art and science. With state-of-the-art technology developed by the Nova Gorica-based HPC company Arctur (in collaboration with Xcenter, a centre for creative practices in Nova Gorica, and a smart lighting solutions company, Intra Lighting), an international ensemble of dancers and an actor explore the limitlessness of movement and the limitless possibilities of discovering novelty in art and science. A co-production between MN Dance Company and Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica, the project forms part of the run-up to the Go! 2025 European Capital of Culture. 

 

MN Dance Company
Nastja Bremec Rynia and Michal Rynia, both graduates of CODARTS – Rotterdam Dance Academy, are internationally renowned choreographers and dancers.

Their prolific artistic output and educational endeavors have opened up the cultural space of Nova Gorica, where MN Dance Company is based, enhancing the cultural life of both the city and country. Their work involves creating choreography and contemporary dance for full-length performances, dance vignettes, dance films, various theatrical performances, music videos, TV commercials and other events. Their long-standing, passionate and devoted partnership has produced outstanding results in contemporary dance. As well as promoting dance culture among adult audiences and young dancers both locally and internationally, Michal and Nastja aim towards establishing connections at the local and multinational level. Demonstrating choreographic, conceptual and technical brilliance – the utmost degree of artistic excellence, their works extend the seemingly inextensible boundaries of dance.

Their dance shows are produced by Zavod MN Produkcija, and feature an international cast of dancers from Slovenia, Italy, Sweden, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Great Britain, Germany, Romania and Hungary selected at an annual audition. The company has been creating pieces for the Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, the Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, and other theatres both at home and abroad (Theater Rotterdam, Baletto di Roma, ArtistiAssociati Gorica, Tanz Moderne Chemnitz, New Dance Drama Firenze…).

Created over the past three years in collaboration with SNG Nova Gorica, the full-length dance performances De-Set, Go! Borderless and Ikarus include a variety of stunning elements and dance figures that demand considerable technical skill and physical stamina, while delivered with great lightness of movement. Known for their original duets, the virtuoso dancers also excel at solos. Their apparent dance and stage minimalism is actually full of details that reveal various hidden meanings to an observant viewer. 

Nastja and Michal’s artistic creativity has importantly enriched both the local and international dance scene. In creating communicative artistic projects, the company plays a vital role in popularising dance among all generations. With their consummate physical, technical and expressive skill, with great insight and profundity, Nastja and Michal addresses both intimate and universal themes that probe into the innermost recesses of our souls, thus uncovering the hidden truth in each one of us.