The Meaning of Zero (2023) 55'
Music for a contemporary dance work
Commissioned by the Petri Kekoni Company,
Avanti! Chamber Orchestra and the Dance House Helsinki
Premiere 27 October 2023, Dance House Helsinki
Choreography, scenography and concept: Petri Kekoni
Electronic and acoustic music: Ville Aslak Raasakka
Dancers: Tanja Illukka, Meeri Lempiäinen, Anna Stenberg, Pekka Louhio, Saku Koistinen
Musicians: Iida-Vilhelmiina Sinivalo / Cello, Martta Jämsä / flute, Livia Schweizer / flute recorded, Anders Pohjola, Tuukka Tervo / mixing / Avanti! Chamber Orchestra
Created for five dancers and two musicians, our latest work The Meaning of Zero is a furious cross-disciplinary exploration into zeroness. The concept of zero has been fundamental to human development and it has formed the basis of all modern technology. Our piece fuses mathematical thinking with flourishing, impulsive movement energy.
The art of Petri Kekoni Company has always revolved around fundamental human questions. In this work, we continue our excavation towards the ground truths and concrete mental foundations of the society we have constructed. The planned stage design reflects this idea with a foundation-like base that underlies everything that is on top of it.
The concept of zero is basic to all animals and is not exclusive to humans. According to research, crows have been able to recognize the concept of zero, which has led us to select the image of a crow as the visual identifier of the piece. The way that the idea of zero permeates the living world tells us something essential about our universe and of understanding; in order to have something, first we must have a not-something.