Birds of Paradise explores power and stereotypical masculinity by bringing together the mating dances of birds of paradise, show wrestling, club culture, and contemporary dance.
Both physical and playful, the piece reveals how birds and humans alike construct choreographies in order to be seen, accepted, and chosen.
In addition to the mating dances of birds, Birds of Paradise draws inspiration from stereotypical human masculinity: show wrestling, martial arts, boy bands, princes and club culture. The birds of paradise seen on stage appear in costumes from Leevi Ikäheimo’s No Pain No Glamour collection, which explores hypermasculinity.
Dance: Tiia Kasurinen, Kaisu Koittola and Lauri Lohi. Costume design: Leevi Ikäheimo. Music: Tiikka Drama. Lighting design: Mikko Kaukonen. Set design: Aino Koski.