BODY MAPS

Body Maps is a personal portrait exploring the plurality of certain human experiences, highlighting our strengths and vulnerabilities, particularly those of our own bodies. The work is a collaboration with visual artist Erika Harrsch, and maps the body by the songs, myths, and traditions that define us.

The piece explores the range of both the cello and the human voice (itself a body part), structurally balanced by both a choir of voices and a choir of cellos. Though essentially a duo, the layering and counterpoint represent the complexity and scope of the theme.

The stories are based on several found tales and archetypal descriptions: feet, tired from journeys, a blind canary (depicted with an eye in its beak), the human hand, with its power totouch and heal, within its palm a visual synthesis of the human experience the arm, a metaphoric butterfly wing,
allowing the imagination to escape.

Radiant... Amorously evocative.
The New York Times
[Paola Prestini’s] work is sensual and heartfelt, touching upon minimalism, film soundtracks, and the American avant-garde tradition.
Tzadik Records

Creative Team

CONCEPT — PAOLA PRESTINI & ERIKA HARRSCH
VISUALS — ERIK HARRSCH
COMPOSER — PAOLA PRESTINI
PERFORMERS — HILA PLITMANN AND JEFFREY ZEIGLER
PROJECTION DESIGN — S. KATY TUCKER