On December 14th, 2024, Demetris Charalambous (Deme for short) presented his 45-minute work “Late Matter” through the tel.haus venue in East Williamsburg. The piece featured a cast of 6 dancers and a live cello performed and composed by Brooklyn musician Quique.
Late Matter created a world that could be described as “purgatory.” Dancers slowly glided and shifted across the stage as moving tableaus, basking in a deep red light that flooded the venue. One dancer, Spenser Stroud, begins the piece posed atop a white pillar. According to choreographer Deme, the pose is meant to allude to the concept of deities and gods.
The middle of the piece is signified in a duet choreographed by Deme and featured duet partner, Valentina Bache Rodriguez (VACA). The pair melt into each other, creating intricate lifts and floor work. The way their bodies become entangled makes them appear as one alien-like being. This duet showcases their understanding of dance technique while pushing the boundaries of what partner work can be. Deme speaks on his choreographic style, “I am drawn to shapes and the geometry of the body.”
Deme brilliantly demonstrated his ability to create a world that an audience can be fully immersed with. Rather than being a traditional dance concert, Deme’s choreography had an operatic tone as he brought the audience through this dark realm of his creation. Late Matter was also created largely in part with musician and partner to Deme, Quique.
Before presenting Late Matter, Deme presented choreography for Judson Church, Performance Research, the "Off The Wall" series at Friedrichs Pontone, and Performance Space New York.
“They are within the same universe,” says Deme when asked about his past choreographic works. “The way that I work, I see this cinematic universe and I need to let it finish its moon cycle… It is hard for me to start anew.” We will likely continue to see fabulously bizarre works by Deme.
Credits
Choreographer: Demetris Charalambous
Composer & Cellist: Quique
Performers & Collaborators: Valentina Bache Rodriguez (VACA), Salma Kiuhan, Spenser Stroud, Channce Williams, and Marcela Torres
Collaborators: Alaia and Hudson Mona
Venue: tel.haus
Interview with Demetris Charalambous on the process of creating Late Matter
