Cosmos by Ashtar Muallem et Clément Dazin – La Main de l’Homme
Ashtar is a Jerusalemite artist, who humorously explores her life and spirituality.
Navigating between Palestine and France, seeking equilibrium and comfort in both lands. Inspired by Jerusalem and cherished memories of her grandmother, she seeks a connection with the Divine.
Ashtar practices yoga, and meditation, and explores tarot reading and hypnosis on the internet. Her elastic body mirrors her dual life, between two countries, cultures and languages, between solitude and togetherness. In a satirical manner, she presents her beliefs, inviting us to participate in a ceremony where poetry blends with humour and subjectivity merges with the universal.
Through Ashtar’s art, we embark on a journey of balance, contradictions, and the beauty of interconnectedness.
Producer: La Main de l’Homme
Coproducers: KLAP Maison pour la danse, Marseille
With the support of la Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque de Marseille and the British Council of Jerusalem Residences: MAC – Relais Culturel de Bischwiller La Main de l’Homme is supported by la Ville de Strasbourg, le Ministère de la Culture – DRAC Grand Est, and le Ministère de la Culture – DGCA.
Clément Dazin is part of the commitee of artists associated with le TJP CDN Strasbourg-Grand Est. He is also associated with Transversales, scène conventionnée cirque de Verdun.
Co-writing and action: Ashtar Muallem
Co-writing and artistic direction: Clément Dazin
Sound design: Gregory Adoir
Light design: Tony Guérin
Sound management: Mathieu Ferrasson
Administration, production, distribution La Magnanerie – Anne Herrmann, Victor Leclère, Hortense Huyghues-Despointes, Debora Laufer, Margot Moroux
About the artists
Cosmos is a solo performance born from the collaboration between Ashtar Muallem and Clément Dazin.
Ashtar Muallem is a Franco-Palestinian artist born in Jerusalem in 1990, working on the intersection between circus, dance, and theatre. She began performing in Palestinian productions like Al Fawanees and Circus Behind the Wall at a young age. She is a graduate from the National Center for Circus Arts (CNAC) in 2011 in France, specializing in aerial silks. She expanded her skills into contortion and has since created shows such as B-Orders and Enheduanna. She has collaborated with renowned companies, including Les Ballets C de la B and Circus Cirkör.
Clément Dazin, originally trained in gymnastics, later embraced juggling and contemporary circus arts. After studying at Lyon Circus School and at the CNAC, he developed his style by merging contemporary dance, hip hop, and juggling. His productions, including Humanoptère and Bruit de Couloir, have toured globally. In 2021, he co-created Cosmos with Muallem and continues to innovate with works like Inops, Trajectoires, A.N.G.S.T. or Mahamat, combining movement and performance in unique settings. Together, Ashtar Muallem and Clément Dazin push artistic boundaries, intertwined their expertise to craft dynamic and create Cosmos.
Reviews
“Ashtar Muallem and Clément Dazin have created a timely (as well as, sadly, timeless) show about Palestine’s history, all beautifully wrapped up in the soft white fabric of Ashtar’s melodic movements which accompany the story of her childhood, religion and grandmother.”
Snack magazine
“Her combination of delivering a powerful political message laced with supreme physical skills and humour makes Cosmos a unique experience that is enhanced by Gregory Adoir’s dramatic sound design.”
Radio Summerhall Arts
Image credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage