Today we’d like to introduce you to Marianna Varviani.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised in Athens Greece. My family and I lived close to a hill and the sea, surrounded by nature. I remember playing, transforming objects and things and creating stories. Growing up, I wanted to understand people, (I still do), simultaneously I was trying to find ways to express myself. This led me to theatre. I started training with ‘Omada Nama’ when I was 16. Straight after school, I got into East15 Drama School on the Contemporary Theatre course. This course focused on devising, physical and political theatre. I was lucky enough to work with some brilliant teachers that gave me the bases of art as a social tool and empower me to carve my own path and artistic journey (such as Brian Astbury, Uri Roodner, Zois Pigadas, and Ian Morgan).
Graduating from University and wanting to see and know more, I moved to Brazil. There I traveled, worked and took part in an internship of ‘Theatre of the Oppressed.’ My perspective of the power of art kept growing and strengthening. I went back to Greece to work for the next few years creating and being a part of performances, teaching and organizing cultural activities. With my colleague Theodosis Konstas, we found ‘Ha! Theatre Ensemble’ created, produced and performed in performances such as ‘Star-trip,’’ The age of the Woodcock,’ ‘Colorful Water’ and ‘Super Sweet Pergamond.’ Additionally, I have been collaborating with artists on a project to project basis, performing and touring work (such as Stella Spyrou, Ohi Paizoume, Patari Project, Ken Cambell, Uri Roodner and others).
My interest in the body and its wisdom grew more and more through my practice. Gradually from theatre, I found myself in the world of movement and dance. In 2015, I took part in the yearly program ‘Choreographic attempts’ led by Patricia Apergy (Aerites Dance company) in Athens. During that year, I choreographed my first piece ‘Vortex’ which was performed as a work in progress at ‘Arc for Dance Festival’ in May 2015, at the ‘European Dance Network’ as a site sympathetic piece for the ‘Silent Walk’, as a whole piece at Sygrono Theatre and at ‘Our Festival’ in Athens during 2016-7. I founded ‘Selcouth’ company, creating performances and teaching workshops and seminars around devising, movement, theatre and dance practices. My second work ‘Ahtikos_ a dance of liberation’ was performed in ‘Arc for Dance Festival’ in May 2018 as a part of ‘Prime Movers’. This is a big on-going project that I wish to continue and share in different parts of the world!
On September of 2018, I moved to Los Angeles in order to be a part of the Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography at UCLA. I wanted to have the time to dive in depth in my practice and research. Coming from the other side of the world, having been a part of a different system and culture, L.A. has been a great school for me. I feel that it has opened my perspective greatly! I have met beautiful people here and I feel deeply grateful for the experiences that I have and I will have!
Please tell us about your art.
I have been creating work and teaching for many years now. The common link of my practice would be, the idea of art as a different way of experiencing life and the world. Through artistic practice, we can imagine and practice different perspectives and possibilities. Art can positively effect, inspire and empower. I wish to produce work that creates joy and gives a chance for people to come together.
In each project that I start, I am asking questions such as: Who is this for? Why is it important now? What do I wish to communicate? What would be an effective way to do that? What could my aesthetics choices be? Thinking of these questions, I have to refigure the form structure and content of each piece.
As one teacher of mine, Peter Sellars, said, how do we want our future to be and what can we create towards that direction? (I am paraphrasing).
I found ‘Selcouth’ company in order to share my ideas and practices with the world. Selcouth is a Shakespearean word that means: unfamiliar, rare, strange and yet marvelous. I thought my performances, practice and teachings could be summed up by this intriguing word!
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I love working with people! I believe art can be a collaborative process. It is always surprising to see what comes out of each exchange. I think being open and willing to experiment and share ideas is always a good starting point. Additionally, I would say being pro-active and creating your own work is super important. There are only a few people who magically get a phone call that changes their career. For the rest of us, following what we are passionate about, working for it, being brave enough to go after it can be magical too.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
As artists, we face the challenge of sustaining ourselves. Being part of an economical and socio-political structures such as this, we have to find our way through the system without losing ourselves. I could say, balancing artistic integrity, ethics and sustainability as well as personal and community interests to be the two main challenges.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am in pre-production of a new piece as well as 2 seminars that I will be teaching. All the information will be shared via social media:
Facebook: https://www.
Instagram: https://www.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selcouth_dance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selcouthdance/
Image Credit:
Photo credit: Kostas Dimas, Dimitris Mamaloukos
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