How micro-interventions with tYhle revitalized the center of Ostrava

Participatory projects are an integral part of every MOVE Fest, and this year’s 11th edition was no exception. This time, the local performers’ involvement was ensured by the tYhle company, specifically by Lukáš Karásek with his outdoor micro-interventions based on the performance Suitcasboarding. (The performance itself took place on festival Sunday in front of the cultural house Poklad.)

Through an open call, 8 performers from Ostrava and the surrounding area were selected to join the project. They spent a full day in a creative workshop with Lukáš Karásek’s team. They had a great opportunity to experience his creative methods, learn about the collaboration between the tYhle dancers, and present the results of their work to the Ostrava public. And they literally did so. On Saturday, September 28, this initially unassuming group with suitcases set off to the center of Ostrava...

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Foto: Kamil Huaptmann

Experimentation and exploration of new possibilities.

Viktorie Szalóczi, one of the participants of the workshop, evaluates it as well-organized and well-prepared. "You were constantly experimenting, searching, and discovering, which was really great. There was no chance to get bored, except for the moments when it was part of the task 🙂. Everyone was great, and I'm glad that even the tYhle performers actively participated."

However, as Viktorie points out, there were certain challenges related to coordinating movement in public spaces. "I'm a bit sad that we didn’t coordinate better on the transition between Elektrou and Dock, because it would have been great if we had gone immediately and led the group with us." Despite this, the overall impression of the event remains positive, and Viki would love to repeat such an experience: "But it probably didn't matter, and I think it all turned out well. I would totally do it again. Thanks so much for the experience, I’d love to collaborate with you again – hopefully, there will be an opportunity!"

Creativity, spontaneity, and freedom

For Klára Huvarová, another participant in the workshop, the experience with tYhle was not only a festival highlight but also an opportunity to express creativity in a new context. "What I enjoyed the most was the creative process we went through together in just one day, and the enthusiasm with which the entire group approached it. On the floor, I particularly enjoyed exploring movement, rhythm, and our interactions. Then, outside in the city, I had the chance to spontaneously do things that I wouldn’t dare do in everyday life – like sliding down a hill on a suitcase, climbing a street lamp, or simply standing in the middle of the city on an elevated manhole cover. My inner child was jumping with joy, and I still feel good about it to this day."

The workshop and the resulting performative walk not only demonstrated the creative potential of movement-based microinterventions but also the undeniable ability of performative art to revitalize and transform public spaces. Even the dancers and performers themselves came up with several ideas on how similar events could be realized at different locations, such as airports or train stations. "I think it would be fun to try something like this at an airport or at the main train station in Prague," reflected Viktorie Szalóczi after the experience.

The workshop and the resulting performative walk not only demonstrated the creative potential of movement-based microinterventions but also the undeniable ability of performative art to revitalize and transform public spaces. Even the dancers and performers themselves came up with several ideas on how similar events could be realized at different locations, such as airports or train stations. "I think it would be fun to try something like this at an airport or at the main train station in Prague," reflected Viktorie Szalóczi after the experience.

The performers in the Suitcaseboarding microinterventions were::

Natálie Oczková, Karolína Grygarová, Alena Dvorská, Rozálie Kvitová, Markéta Schacherlová, Viktorie Szalóczi, Klára Huvarová, Marie Dinkovová a performeři souboru tYhle.