‘Factory Girl’ (Factory in Progress), 2011-2012

The interdisciplinary project “Factory in Progress” took place in the inspiring environment of a paper factory in Rijeka, Croatia in the summer of 2011 during the Hartera Festival. It rounded up 14 creative professionals from different areas (contemporary dance, corporeal mime, classical theatre, electronic music, design, fine art, film, photography…) bent on predicting an unconventional experience – a contemporary play that would be made and produced within three days. No script, no director, no plans except the ones made on-site. Only parts of scenography were made before and then brought to the factory in order to be used (or not) any way performers wished it.

The video artist and the photographer were there just to document the whole thing, on the contrary- they were given complete freedom so the photos and the film became a standalone work: the author’s artistic vision of the project. The lack of time, an element constantly present in our everyday lives, is an important constructive element in this project. It gave the participants a strong focus on their goal and set almost all possible professional o personal differences aside (no time for ego). With no time for much rehearsal and without the luxury of a routine, performers had to reach inside themselves, draw inspiration from the space surrounding them and think fast to make it work.

The space is part of an old paper factory (now abandoned). Its grey walls emanate colorful history and evoke all sorts of emotions in people. The combination of all these factors resulted in a performance so intense and raw that it left the audience breathless.

The presented publication was created in collaboration with Andrea Kustić (graphic design) and Jelena Tondini (text) as a result of the photographic work I have done on the spot.