Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue is an aquatic circus show featuring two swimmers in a giant aquarium in the middle of the stage engaging in a series of experiments following the loss of gravity, The performers test various techniques to fill their lungs with air (for example, by bringing air underwater through an upside-down plastic box), exhibiting euphoria when held underwater for a certain amount of time, their hilarity in the face of silly things reminiscent of depth intoxication, or rapture of the deep.

In a transitioning sequence in which the watery environment undergoes a series of transformations: from a raging nightclub complete with loud music and multi-colored fluorescent lights, to a playful afternoon from a by-gone childhood involving a game of leapfrog, to a soft fairy-tale sexual awakening with one swimmer sliding on the tail of a sparkling mermaid as their bodies intertwine. The choreographed attempts to tweak to electro-punk or to engage in child’s play are automatically translated into dream sequences with water’s touch that blurs the edges of our vision and decelerates each move.

In the midst of the dream, accentuated by dim lighting and soft music, the spell is suddenly broken by the eruption of a garbage downpour. White plastic cups and bags and other debris fall and swirl around as the swimmers frantically try to avoid the intrusions, resulting in a fluid and turbulent composition both revolting and elegant. The lighting accentuates the opaque transparency of the plastic membranes that have now entered the dance. – A. Street