The inaugural Progress Festival comes to Toronto, Canada, on February 4, 2015, bringing international works to engage in a larger conversation about language, accessibility and what progress means to the city's performance art ecology. One of the lineups is 'Marathon,' which juxtaposes the physical activity of running with the Israeli consciousness. "As their journey becomes harder and more painful, their stories break down, revealing the wounds of contemporary Israeli society," notes the Progress Festival website.
A combination of dance, text, theater and grueling physicality, Marathon reflects on a state of constant emergency. It was curated by SummerWorks for the Progress Festival and is supported by Spotlight on Israeli Culture, the Embassy of Israel and the Israeli Consulate.
Socially-Charged Performances
Progress Festival Delves into Israeli Consciousness with 'Marathon'
Trend Themes
1. Performance Art Diversity - As diverse performance art becomes more well-represented in festivals like Progress, there are opportunities for new mediums and experiences.
2. Artistic Expression Cross-culture - By exploring the Israeli consciousness, 'Marathon' highlights the potential for cross-cultural artistic expression.
3. Narrative Experimentation in Performance - With performances like 'Marathon' combining different mediums and forms to tell a narrative, there is a growing trend toward experimental storytelling in the performance arts.
Industry Implications
1. Arts and Culture - Festivals like Progress and works like 'Marathon' expand the reach of and enhance the quality of modern performance art culture.
2. Tourism - Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) can highlight performance art festivals like Progress as unique draws for tourists.
3. Social Activism - Performances like 'Marathon' raise awareness of social issues and movements.