Cultura Surda
02/23/2015
Listed on Cultura Surda, a blog for sharing and promotion of cultural products related to deaf communities from different countries of the world, Kol Demama Dance Company is mentioned.
Category: Dance
Country: Israel
Languages: Hebrew and Israeli Sign Language (ISL)
Between 1960 and 1970, when dance and deafness were almost always at therapeutic approaches, Kol Demama (Silence Sound) already met professionally deaf dancers and listeners in Israel. Built by Moshe Efrati (former member of the prestigious Batsheva Dance Company), the company reaffirmed the dance for their artistic value, not as a mere socialization instrument or rehabilitation: “I am not a social worker, nor a therapist, I am a choreographer “said the director and founder of the group. “To me, it’s not a matter of deaf and hearing people, but the fusion of two worlds.” About dais, members lined the beat through vibrations in the floor, “tapas on the shoulder,” touches the body, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures and lighting effects, all incorporated into the choreography of the shows. The distinction between hearing and not hearing as well, fell apart on stage, subtle beauty of the movements (source: The New York Times Archive, 1984). In Tel Aviv, the company maintained a gym where hundreds of young people (deaf and hearing) practiced classical ballet to contemporary dance. Some decades later, to celebrate the pioneering spirit of the group – which remained active until the late 90s – A Tribute to Moshe Efrati was held in 2011, bringing together former members and company supporters.
