Free falling

In ‘Mother Tongue,’ a choreographer and a bassist join forces to match movement with musical styles.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
Mother Tongue 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Mother Tongue 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
In the world of dance, acting and performance, the word “improvisation” carries very specific weight. There are institutions dedicated to promoting and improving the art of making it up as you go along and countless workshops held yearly for those seeking to refine their skills in this arena. However, improvisation as an act is something that all people are subconsciously familiar with. Every day we are confronted with obstacles and are forced to make spur-of-the- moment decisions.
This week, choreographer Shiran Eliaserov and bassist Hagai Cohen Milo will present Mother Tongue, a one-time performance built exclusively on improvisation.
These two artists, both born and raised in Israel, were drawn overseas to pursue their passions. Eliaserov completed a master’s degree in dance at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance and has since been back and forth between Germany and Israel. Eliaserov’s work is aesthetic and theatrical.
Milo was pulled farther afield, to the New England Conservatory. He has won various prizes for his musical skills in Europe and America. Milo’s collaborations with dance organizations have taken him to Boston and San Francisco. In addition, Milo has taught composition at Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet School. At present, he lives and works as a composer and musician in New York City.
For their inaugural collaboration, the two artists set to work defining the possibilities open to them during their performance. Over a number of meetings, they explored a variety of musical and movement styles. What they will present on stage is a result of this search for common ground and for a shared language between Eliaserov’s movement and Milo’s playing. And though they have rehearsed this work, the element of freedom on stage will undoubtedly play a large role in what will transpire before the audience’s eyes.
Joining Eliaserov are dancers Omer Uziel and Siri Clinckspoor. The band Moonlit, which includes Mateo Lugo on the guitar and Daniel Right on the drums, will accompany Milo’s bass.
The title Mother Tongue refers to the return of these two artists to Israel to do what they do best – perform.
Mother Tongue will run at the Inbal Theater, Suzanne Dellal Center, Tel Aviv, on January 11 at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.suzannedellal.org.il.