PHOTOG.

An Imaginary Look at The Uncompromising Life of Thomas Smith

Boca del Lupo /

Vancouver

#FTA_photog

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State of the World
A war photographer takes stock of his own private battlefield. An observer of the indescribable, he provides fresh images for gluttons who feed on disaster. His account cruelly reveals the occupational hazards of a terrible trade – documenting humanity at its worst. At times tormented by these photos of real wars, at other times affected by virtual images, the spectator adopts the angle and point of view of the photographer. Using a striking theatrical structure full of technological tricks, this moving presentation of the lives of those we see in the news every day conveys an incredible energy.

Alone onstage, Jay Dodge offers an amazing performance. His highly emotional physicality is disconcerting and dazzling. Based on interviews with photojournalists and war photographers from the Time Magazine and the New York Times, the presentation gives voice to those who live in a wartorn, impoverished world. Materializing from the debris, they bear witness and are a goad to anger and shame.

Dedicated to Tim Hetherington
This performance is dedicated to Tim Hetherington who was tragically killed on April 20 2011 while covering the conflict in Libya. Tim Hetherington is one the conflict photographers Jay and Sherry met during the creative process of this project. A large part of the text in the show contains testimonies from his experiences in war zones.

Jay Dodge + Sherry Yoon

Committed and Complementary
Initially created in 1996 as a collective, the company has consisted of the Yoon-Dodge duo for the past eight years. Sherry Yoon conceives and directs the shows, which are written and performed by Jay Dodge. Together they have presented very innovative projects that involve playing with new technologies, defying gravity with performers up in the air, and dazzling with image projection and onstage music. Each piece reflects their conviction that art must make a direct connection to contemporary society. Never at a loss for new projects, they are currently working on a piece about human trafficking, to be presented at the Vancouver 125th anniversary celebrations.

Boca del Lupo - Innovative and Invigorating
Based in Vancouver, Boca del Lupo presents theatre that combines movement and text, experimentation and narrative, documentary and fiction. Its work ranges from multidisciplinary pieces to street theatre, installations, short performances and participatory dance shows. The company has toured across Canada and internationally, and its work is often inspired by encounters made along the way. The Argentine piece of intimate street scenes, La Marea, was presented at the FTA in 2008. Over the years it has received a number of honours, including the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award, the Critics’ Choice Award for Innovation and the Alcan Performing Arts Award.

Press Quote(s)

“Uncompromising and raw, Photog uses new media to give a glimpse into the world of conflict journalism.”
J. Source Magazine

“The show can truthfully call itself uncompromising. It doesn’t flinch from showing us pictures of devastation, or from having its protagonist describe atrocities that he has witnessed, recorded or feared.”
The National Post

“The first rule of conflict photography: never let your boss know you’re anything but “normal.” The second rule: don’t get killed. PHOTOG. is a new-media mash-up of true stories from conflict photojournalists, quoted verbatim but told as first-person events by the fictional Thomas Smith, played by writer/performer Jay Dodge.”
Dana Lacey, Mooney on Theater, 11/18/2010

“…dazzling-almost Robert Lepagian in vision. This is a compelling production that is immense in both topic and scale. ”
Entertainment Guide

Credits

PRODUCED BY BOCA DEL LUPO

DIRECTED AND CO-CREATED BY SHERRY YOON CO-CREATED AND PERFORMED BY JAY DODGE MUSIC PIETRO AMATO SOUND DESIGN CAREY DODGE VIDEO BRAE NORWISS LIGHTING DESIGN JOHN WEBBER COSTUME DESIGN MARA GOTTLER CHOREOGRAPHY TARA CHEYENNE FRIEDENBERG DRAMATURGY JAMES FAGAN TAIT

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH PLACE DES ARTS

PREMIERED AT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE'S WORLD STAGE SERIES, NOVEMBER 2010

WRITTEN BY DIANE JEAN TRANSLATED BY NEIL KROETSCH