A P N E A

Immersion is the main focus in A P N E A. The creation of a space in suspension; physically and mentally suspended.Deprived of the presence of any water, sound waves become the substitute of the liquid element, flooding the theatre room and submerging all bodies present in the space.

Incentivized by the iconic figure of the ‘escape artists’ (escapologists) that would put themselves through extreme life-risking experiences in order to generate commotion among the public. By the subliminal practice of sport-divers, that would plunge themselves into the water-depths, in procession to extol humanity and its physical boundaries. My aim is to ‘immortalize’ the human body by composing a performance that draws our attention towards the air[i] we breath. How can I make, the ethereal and gaseous indispensable-element, material and tangible?

To translate the physical implications of water submersion (e.g. bradycardia[ii]) into the theatre's space, moreover into the audience's private territory, meaning their minds and inner bodies. The transmission of an immensely immersive experience inspired by the process of 'sublimation' in which matter in a 'solid state' morphs into a 'gaseous state' without passing through its 'liquid phase'. A P N E A it is a worksite of inauthentic elements for the formation of impure crystals (Gilles Deleuze)

While practicing/experiencing A P N E A complete absence of discursive thought might be ideal. The brain, when active, uses 30 to 40 percent of all the oxygen at disposal within the human body.

[i] Air is mostly made of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) atoms. The remainder of air (1%) is made up of water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide,and other trace gases.

[ii] The mammalian diving reflex is a reflex in mammals which optimizes respiration to allow staying underwater for extended periods of time.  Every animal's diving reflex is triggered specifically by cold water contacting the face – water that is warmer than 21 °C does not cause the reflex, and neither does submersion of body parts other than the face. Bradycardia is the first response to submersion. Immediately upon facial contact with cold water, the human heart rate slows down ten to twenty-five percent. Slowing the heart rate lessens the need for bloodstream oxygen, leaving more to be used by other organs.
Blood is removed from the limbs and all organs but the heart and the brain, creating a heart–brain circuit and allowing the mammal to conserve oxygen.