Mercurio, is a performance born from the encounter between choreographer and performer Luna Cenere with composer, improviser and saxophonist Antonio Raia.

Mercury, both as a chemical element and, as a mythological figure, embodies a remarkable duality and versatility. As a metal it is unique in being in a liquid state at room temperature, thus manifesting a peculiar combination of fluidity and cohesion. This physical characteristic can be seen as a representation of “reconciled opposites,” where mercury blends its liquid nature with its persistence.
Much like the metal itself, which manifests itself in the ability to connect seemingly contrasting elements, the performance art develops through the flow of heterogeneous components.
The chosen reflections and actions arise from the fusion of practices, postures and knowledge of the two young artists, who transform the stage into a place of boundless inquiry by creating a universal language of exploration and reflection in support of a fluidity of art that flows without restrictions or trivial combinations of sound and gesture.

The two performers’ research also finds its sap in the mythological context where the god Mercury is often associated with the fusion of opposing characteristics.
In fact, as the messenger of the gods in Roman mythology, Mercury acts as an intermediary between the divine and the human, uniting different worlds, symbolizing the duality between heaven and earth, male and female, light and darkness.

The performance Mercurio thus becomes a powerful metaphor for the harmonization of contrasting elements, representing a balance between seemingly irreconcilable dualities becoming a fascinating symbol of connection and reconciliation.
The action is continually transformed into a celebration of transformation, of obliquities of meaning, and the bold experiment demonstrates that the power of music lies as much in the absence of sound as in the cracks of melodies made to emerge from shadows, and that dance can shine even when deprived of predictable movements.

production:
We-Start, Centro di Produzione Piemonte Orientale, Bolzano Danza | Tanz Bozen,
OperaEstate Festival and FDE Festival Danza Estate Bergamo in collaboration with Bergamo Jazz Festival
in the frame of the BoNo! project
with the support of puntozerovaleriaapicella and Movimento Danza, Napoli

Music by Antonio Raia
Choreography and dance Luna Cenere
Light design and technical direction Nicola Mancini

executive production Zebra Cultural Zoo, WeStart

14.06.2024 DanzaEstate Festival, Bergamo (IT)
13.07.2024 BolzanoDanza | TanzBozen, Bolzano (IT)
28.08.2024 BMotion, Operaestate Festival, Bassano del Grappa (IT)
28.09.2024 NU Jazz Festival, Novara (IT)
04.10.2024 Aperto Festival, Reggio Emilia (IT)
19.10.2024 Raid Festival, Solofra (IT)
14.02.2025 Festival Orbita, Roma (IT)
1,2.03.2025 Festival La Democrazia del Corpo, Firenze (IT)