Manifesto of the Now is a performance project conceived, researched and developed by the Salzburg-based multidisciplinary artist and choreographer of Indian origin Nayana Keshava Bhat, in close collaboration with eight artists.

As a series of performative acts of resistance against fragmented perception, the work celebrates the whole that is greater than the sum of its parts through dance, music & poetry.

Seven short solos and five group acts in various constellations inhabit four days in diverse spaces such as the studio, connecting hallways, the theatre blackbox.

Each performance is an act of resistance, where the performers, dancers and musicians negotiate between the given choreographic structure and the imminent state of the body in relation to space and time.

With distinct physical and sensorial themes, the artists in each act examine the Now from a different point of view.

Motivation

Manifesto of the Now is an artistic stance against the perpetual pressure of productivity, mindless habituated behaviours, materialism, the increased speed of living – all of which cause a disconnect from the intrinsic value of things, rendering things and people “not enough”, therefore leaving us wanting “more”.

It deals with the questions ‘What does it mean to be present?, What if while chasing after a “perfect world”, I begin to take notice of the world I already live in? What if I choose to navigate through this world that I already inhabit with utmost awareness and care? And what if I begin to notice the interconnectedness of everything, in order to identify the power I have over the present moment? How will that influence the world I live in?’

Manifesto of the Now places the agency of change on the individual. It is a revolt against one’s own inner chains of mindlessness and stands for taking ownership. 

Credits

Concept, choreographic research, artistic direction, lights: Nayana Keshava Bhat

in close collaboration through research & performance: Almut Kühne (Voice), András Meszerics (Dance), Chris Dahlgren (Viola da Gamba), Jordina Millà (Piano), Natalia Castaneira (Dance), Tomaž Simatović (Dance), Verena Pircher (Dance)

Dramaturgy: Peter Stamer

Production assistance: Olivia Mitterhuemer

Production: INFLUX - Network for Dance, Theater & Performance

Co-production: SZENE Salzburg

Cooperation Partner: Salzburger Kunstverein

Technical support: Toihaus Theater, Theater Bodi End Sole, Hallein, Haus der St. Benedikt

Funding support: Stadt Salzburg, Land Salzburg, Bildrecht

Special thanks to:
This project has been made possible through the generous support and contributions of several individuals throughout its research, creation and production stages (all the persons mentioned above + Mircea Sorin Albutiu, Agnes Distelberger, Angela Glechner, Mirela Baciak, Andrea Kahlhammer) & institutions (mentioned above + SUPER Initiative, Breloque Theater, Tatwerk Berlin, Berchtold Villa, oenm studio in 2022, 2023 & 2024.)