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There are only two northern white rhinos left throughout the entire world. The New York Times wrote about them, and choreographer Gaston Core translated this story of the very last white rhinos into a hypnotic one man-dance.


Inspired by The New York Times article, Core developed a personal dance language together with dancer Oulouy that is a mix of urban dance with strong African influences. We see a man dancing because he has found out that, as French poet Paul Valéry wrote, ‘we have too much energy for our needs’. Dancing until the end, because maybe it can no longer be helped. But also dancing from darkness to the light.


The focus of the piece is entirely on dancer Oulouy, both as an individual and as a symbol of the nearly extinct animal. His presence challenges us, not least because he is connected to the concept of the perishable creature from the piece’s title. Are we not a bit like this surviving mother and daughter rhino, listlessly waiting for the end ourselves? 

  • The Very Last Northern White Rhino

    © Alice Brazzit

  • The Very Last Northern White Rhino

    © Alice Brazzit

  • The Very Last Northern White Rhino

    © Alice Brazzit

  • The Very Last Northern White Rhino

    © Alice Brazzit

  • © Alice Brazzit

  • © Alice Brazzit

credits

concept Gaston Core director Gaston Core choreography Gaston Core, Oulouy performer Oulouy collaboration Aina Alegre design film production Alice Brazzit photography Alice Brazzit music Jorge da Rocha lights Ivan Cascon styling Eva Bernal technical coordination Manu Ordenavia production Mayte Luque co-production Sala Hiroshima, Festival GREC of Barcelona with the support of Centre Cívic Barceloneta