In Somersault at Xib’alb’aa show that will premiere on November 29 at the National Center for the Arts (Cenart), the Tránsito Cinco Artes Escénicas SC company combines ancestral myths and contemporary circus arts to reinterpret some passages from the Mayan legends about the creation of the Sun and the Moon .
It is a scenic proposal about the Popol Vuh, the sacred Mayan writings, focused on the story of the prodigious twins, Xbalanqué and Hunahpú. What we seek is to make a visual and sensory, aesthetic representation of the ancient Mayan cosmogony through the lens of the contemporary circus.
explains its director, Jorge Díaz Mendoza.
In his opinion, it is very important to bring the myths of the ancient cultures of Mexico to the present, as well as revalue and disseminate them, to take advantage of their knowledge and wisdom: In this work we discuss the meaning that the Mayans gave to life and death. What we want to highlight is the vision of death not as the end, but as the possibility of regenerating, reinventing oneself, reconciling, being reborn; also, to see sacrifice as an act of creation
.
good and evil
Through contemporary circus techniques such as aerial dance, contortion, Chinese mast, cyr wheel and capillary suspension, as well as the use of various choreographic and musical elements, this circus show captures each of the episodes in the lives of these twins, from which are conceived by Princess Ixkic and her journey through the Mayan underworld until her sacrifice for the creation of the Sun and the Moon.
There is a very important and symbolic element that we return to: the ball game, as well as the figure of the circle as a metaphor for life and also for the eternal struggle between good and evil.
highlights the stage creator in an interview.
The myth of Xbalanqué and Hunahpú, he points out, was one of the most important events in the life and rituals of the ancient Mayans, for whom Xib’alb’a was a place located in the bowels of the Earth, which represents to the underworld as a privileged place in the cosmos where the secrets of life and death are locked.
According to Díaz Mendoza, the use of circus techniques in the staging is of great help for the reinterpretation and narration of this Mayan cosmogony, because The skill of the performers, of the performers, reflects the physical and spiritual trials that the heroes face in this story
.
Likewise, he highlights the importance that the contemporary circus has acquired in recent times in the performance offering: “It has an important rebound in this era, it is no longer just a series of surprising acts and has become a central element for the narration of complex stories.
We are used to a format in which the (circus) artists come, present their act and say goodbye; but now, in this adaptation towards contemporary stage proposals, they no longer do that, but are part of a narrative, a structure, a story in which they are required beyond their circus discipline. They must now also have stage presence, manage their voice and body and get into other stage areas that require more preparation and commitment to a project.
nods.
Aimed at all audiences from six years old, Somersault at Xib’alb’a It lasts about 60 minutes and involves five performers, two are the protagonists and the remaining three alternate between the characters that appear in the story. There is also a narrator. A central element is the musical part, conceived from the mixture of electronic music with sound atmospheres that refer to pre-Hispanic times.
The performances will be on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, at 8 and 7 p.m., respectively; and on Sunday, December 1, at 6 p.m., at the Salvador Novo del Cenart Theater (Río Churubusco and Calzada de Tlalpan, Country Club neighborhood).
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#work #Somersault #Xibalba #addresses #ancient #Mayan #cosmogony
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Beyond entertainment value, what are the broader cultural implications of using contemporary circus arts, a highly physical and often experimental art form, to retell ancient Mayan myths and make them accessible to a wider audience?
## “Somersault at Xib’alb’a”: An Immersive Journey into Mayan Mythology
Welcome to World Today News. We are thrilled to be joined by Jorge Díaz Mendoza, director of the Tránsito Cinco Artes Escénicas SC company, and [Guest 2 Name], a leading scholar specializing in pre-Hispanic cultures. Today, we’ll be delving into their groundbreaking production, “Somersault at Xib’alb’a,” which brings Mayan mythology to life through the dynamic art of contemporary circus.
**Section 1: Reimagining the Myths**
**Interviewer:** Jorge, your production draws heavily from the Popol Vuh, the sacred text of the Mayan people. How did you approach the challenge of translating ancient mythology into a contemporary circus performance?
**Jorge Díaz Mendoza:**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], as an expert in Mayan culture, what are your thoughts on seeing these ancient stories interpreted through such a unique and modern lens?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Section 2: The Significance of the Story**
**Interviewer:** The myth of Xbalanqué and Hunahpú revolves around themes of life, death, sacrifice, and reincarnation. Jorge, how do these themes resonate within the context of the circus performance?
**Jorge Díaz Mendoza:**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], traditionally, how did the Mayan people view these concepts, and how do you think their perspective aligns with modern interpretations?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Section 3: The Power of Contemporary Circus**
**Interviewer:** Jorge, your production incorporates a wide range of circus techniques – aerial dance, contortion, Chinese mast, and more. How do these different disciplines contribute to the storytelling process?
**Jorge Díaz Mendoza:**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], has the use of circus as a medium for conveying cultural narratives been seen before, and what makes this production particularly noteworthy?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Section 4: Reaching a Wider Audience**
**Interviewer:** Jorge, what do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing “Somersault at Xib’alb’a”?
**Jorge Díaz Mendoza:**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], what is the importance of continuing to explore and share ancient cultures like the Mayan through contemporary art forms?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
**Concluding Remarks**
Interviewer: We thank Jorge Díaz Mendoza and [Guest 2 Name] for enlightening us about this compelling production. “Somersault at Xib’alb’a” promises to be a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating experience, offering a unique window into the rich world of Mayan mythology. Don’t miss the chance to witness this innovative fusion of tradition and contemporary art at the National Center for the Arts from November 29th to December 1st.
